Canadian Native ArtCanadian Native Art

Native Art in Native Art in CanadaCanada

Canadian Native PeoplesCanadian Native Peoples

First off, Native peoples in Canada are often referred First off, Native peoples in Canada are often referred to as one group, but actually reflect many different to as one group, but actually reflect many different cultures. Just like we understand that people from cultures. Just like we understand that people from different European or Asian countries have different different European or Asian countries have different traditions, languages, histories and cuisines, the same traditions, languages, histories and cuisines, the same is true for Native peoples. Canada is a huge country is true for Native peoples. Canada is a huge country which is home to many different groups of Native which is home to many different groups of Native peoples. This also means that there are many different peoples. This also means that there are many different types of Native art.types of Native art.

Native Art in HistoryNative Art in History

Historically, to the native people, art was only Historically, to the native people, art was only one aspect of their lives. Art played a special one aspect of their lives. Art played a special role in their religious ceremonies. In some role in their religious ceremonies. In some societies it was an important part of their societies it was an important part of their political and social organization; and it helped political and social organization; and it helped to make useful objects attractive.to make useful objects attractive.

Wampum BeltWampum BeltWampum was used by the Wampum was used by the native people as currency and native people as currency and to record treaties and settle to record treaties and settle disputes disputes

Shaman’s CharmShaman’s CharmShamans were expected to contactShamans were expected to contactthe spirit world by dancing andthe spirit world by dancing and singing, so drums and rattles weresinging, so drums and rattles were important in their rituals. These itemsimportant in their rituals. These items were often carved to represent theirwere often carved to represent their spirit helpers or painted with scenes spirit helpers or painted with scenes of the shaman entering the land of theof the shaman entering the land of the spirits. spirits.

Interactions with EuropeansInteractions with Europeans

The greatest change brought by Europeans was in The greatest change brought by Europeans was in technology. Indians were particularly keen to trade technology. Indians were particularly keen to trade furs for glass beads and metal tools. Beads were far furs for glass beads and metal tools. Beads were far simpler to use for embroidery than porcupine quills. simpler to use for embroidery than porcupine quills. Before long, Indian women were using beads in all Before long, Indian women were using beads in all shapes and colours and quillwork became a skill of shapes and colours and quillwork became a skill of the past. Woollen cloth, too, was easier to obtain than the past. Woollen cloth, too, was easier to obtain than skins and hides. On the Northwest Coast, metal tools skins and hides. On the Northwest Coast, metal tools caused a flourishing of wood carving for some years caused a flourishing of wood carving for some years during the 19th century. during the 19th century.

Moccasins decorated with porcupine quills

Beaded Clothing

Native Artists TodayNative Artists Today

Today, most native artists are painters, sculptors, and Today, most native artists are painters, sculptors, and makers of prints and jewellery. Although they may makers of prints and jewellery. Although they may use many of the traditional myths and styles in their use many of the traditional myths and styles in their art, they do it in new ways and with new materials. art, they do it in new ways and with new materials.

There are three main schools of contemporary native There are three main schools of contemporary native artists: Inuit art, West Coast Native art and the artists: Inuit art, West Coast Native art and the Woodlands school of "Legend Painters." Woodlands school of "Legend Painters."

Inuit ArtInuit Art The first "school" to rise to prominence was contemporary The first "school" to rise to prominence was contemporary

Inuit art, with sculpture appearing in the late 1940s, and then Inuit art, with sculpture appearing in the late 1940s, and then Inuit printmaking in the late 1950s. Inuit printmaking in the late 1950s.

Inuit sculpture and prints remained the most popular and most Inuit sculpture and prints remained the most popular and most successful in the marketplace during the 1960s and into the successful in the marketplace during the 1960s and into the 1970s, when original drawings by individual Inuit artists came 1970s, when original drawings by individual Inuit artists came to be more fully recognized and valued.to be more fully recognized and valued.

Contemporary Inuit sculpture, prints, drawings, and textiles Contemporary Inuit sculpture, prints, drawings, and textiles may often employ Western artistic techniques and cater to an may often employ Western artistic techniques and cater to an outsider market. At the same time, contemporary Inuit art outsider market. At the same time, contemporary Inuit art exhibits numerous points of continuity with traditional Inuit exhibits numerous points of continuity with traditional Inuit culture, values, and world view. culture, values, and world view.

Kenojuak AshevakKenojuak Ashevak Kenojuak Ashevak, was born on October 3, 1927, at Kenojuak Ashevak, was born on October 3, 1927, at

Ikerrasak, Baffin Island, N.W.TIkerrasak, Baffin Island, N.W.T.. Kenojuak is one of Kenojuak is one of Canada's most popular printmakers. She grew up in a Canada's most popular printmakers. She grew up in a traditional Inuit family, living off the land and moving camp traditional Inuit family, living off the land and moving camp as the seasons changed. She had many children, several of as the seasons changed. She had many children, several of whom died in infancy. In the late 1950s, James Houston whom died in infancy. In the late 1950s, James Houston encouraged her and her husband, Johnniebo, to make some encouraged her and her husband, Johnniebo, to make some drawings for the new printmaking shop at Cape Dorset. drawings for the new printmaking shop at Cape Dorset. Since that time, about 200 prints have been based on her Since that time, about 200 prints have been based on her work. She is best known for her drawings of birds, which work. She is best known for her drawings of birds, which are colourful and composed with a strong sense of design. are colourful and composed with a strong sense of design. Her most famous print, Her most famous print, The Enchanted OwlThe Enchanted Owl, was reproduced , was reproduced on a postage stamp in 1967. She also carves in soapstone, on a postage stamp in 1967. She also carves in soapstone, and she and Johnniebo (now deceased) have been honoured and she and Johnniebo (now deceased) have been honoured with many awards, including the Companion of Canada, a with many awards, including the Companion of Canada, a National Film Board film, and a book about her work, and National Film Board film, and a book about her work, and major exhibitions in galleries across Canada. In 2002 her major exhibitions in galleries across Canada. In 2002 her work was featured in the exhibition work was featured in the exhibition Kenojuak Ashevak: To Kenojuak Ashevak: To Make Something BeautifulMake Something Beautiful at the National Gallery of at the National Gallery of Canada. She was awarded a Governor General's Award in Canada. She was awarded a Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts in 2008.Visual and Media Arts in 2008.

Festival Festival OwlOwl

Wolves in Wolves in SpringSpring

The World Around Me

The Enchanted Owl

West CoastWest Coast In the late 1960s and early 1970s a "renaissance" of Northwest Coast art in In the late 1960s and early 1970s a "renaissance" of Northwest Coast art in

British Columbia occurred, with the appearance in abundance of traditional British Columbia occurred, with the appearance in abundance of traditional forms of woodcarving, metalwork, painting, prints and textiles at first forms of woodcarving, metalwork, painting, prints and textiles at first among the "northern" nations (Haida, Tsimshian, and Kwakiutl) and more among the "northern" nations (Haida, Tsimshian, and Kwakiutl) and more recently among the "southerly" Nootka and coast Salish.recently among the "southerly" Nootka and coast Salish.

Famous artists include Tony Hunt and Robert Davidson who are skilled Famous artists include Tony Hunt and Robert Davidson who are skilled carvers of totem poles and masks. William Reid is famous for his carvers of totem poles and masks. William Reid is famous for his sculpture, jewellery, and prints as well. sculpture, jewellery, and prints as well.

Contemporary art is produced on the coast today for use in Native villages, Contemporary art is produced on the coast today for use in Native villages, but more often such traditional items as masks, rattles, boxes, bowls, but more often such traditional items as masks, rattles, boxes, bowls, textiles and jewellery are adapted to EuroCanadian techniques, materials, textiles and jewellery are adapted to EuroCanadian techniques, materials, and functions for sale in Native art shops. and functions for sale in Native art shops.

CharacteristicsCharacteristics Use of formlines and the use of shapes Use of formlines and the use of shapes

referred to as referred to as ovoidsovoids, , U formsU forms and and S S formsforms. .

Media were wood, stone, and copper; Media were wood, stone, and copper; since European contact, paper, canvas, since European contact, paper, canvas, glass, and precious metals have also been glass, and precious metals have also been used. used.

Common colours are red and black, but Common colours are red and black, but yellow is also often used, particularly yellow is also often used, particularly among among Kwakwaka'wakwKwakwaka'wakw artists. artists.

Patterns depicted include natural forms Patterns depicted include natural forms such as bears, ravens, eagles, and such as bears, ravens, eagles, and humans; legendary creatures such as humans; legendary creatures such as thunderbirds and sisiutls; and abstract thunderbirds and sisiutls; and abstract forms made up of the characteristic forms made up of the characteristic Northwest Coast shapes. Northwest Coast shapes.

Soul Catcher

Wooden Moon Mask

Totem Poles

Bill ReidBill Reid William Ronald Reid,William Ronald Reid, was born on January 12, was born on January 12,

1920, at Victoria, B.C. He died there on March 1920, at Victoria, B.C. He died there on March 13, 1998. 13, 1998. Bill Reid did more than anyone else to Bill Reid did more than anyone else to revive interest in Northwest Coast Native art and revive interest in Northwest Coast Native art and to create new art forms within the old traditions. to create new art forms within the old traditions. He was the son of a Haida mother and a white He was the son of a Haida mother and a white father, but it was not until he was in his late teens father, but it was not until he was in his late teens that he learned anything about his native heritage. that he learned anything about his native heritage. He worked as a broadcaster for 16 years, and in He worked as a broadcaster for 16 years, and in 1948-49 he took courses in jewellery-making in 1948-49 he took courses in jewellery-making in Toronto. He also began to study Native art in Toronto. He also began to study Native art in museums and books, and made his first trip to the museums and books, and made his first trip to the land of his ancestors, the Queen Charlotte land of his ancestors, the Queen Charlotte Islands. Before long he was recognized as an Islands. Before long he was recognized as an authority on Haida art and culture. authority on Haida art and culture.

Reid carved totem poles which contained Reid carved totem poles which contained complicated clan and family histories, but he also complicated clan and family histories, but he also created simple sculptures which could be easily created simple sculptures which could be easily understood by people from other cultures. His understood by people from other cultures. His huge wooden sculpture, huge wooden sculpture, Raven and the First Raven and the First HumansHumans, at the Museum of Anthropology in , at the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, tells the old story of the trickster Vancouver, tells the old story of the trickster raven who discovered the first Haida men in a raven who discovered the first Haida men in a giant clamshell; but Reid had given each a man a giant clamshell; but Reid had given each a man a different expression as he peers out into the different expression as he peers out into the world or steals back into his shellworld or steals back into his shell. .

Bill Reid (Cont.)Bill Reid (Cont.) Bill Reid also worked in non-Bill Reid also worked in non-

traditional materials. Outdoor traditional materials. Outdoor sculptures, such as the sculptures, such as the Killer Killer WhaleWhale, which rises from its own , which rises from its own pool outside the Vancouver pool outside the Vancouver Aquarium, have been cast in Aquarium, have been cast in bronze. He made exquisite bronze. He made exquisite jewellery and boxes in gold, jewellery and boxes in gold, silver, and argillite which were silver, and argillite which were engraved with Haida designs. He engraved with Haida designs. He was one of the first artists to use was one of the first artists to use silkscreen prints to portray native silkscreen prints to portray native art. And he wrote and illustrated art. And he wrote and illustrated many books about the culture and many books about the culture and myths of his people. In 1986 Reid myths of his people. In 1986 Reid built a traditional dugout canoe built a traditional dugout canoe for display at Expo 86 in for display at Expo 86 in Vancouver. Vancouver.

Thunderbird

Sockeye Salmon PoolThe Raven and the First Men

Thunderbird Nanasimget Bracelet

Killer Whale

Grizzly Bear NecklaceWolf Drum

Woodlands School: Woodlands School: The Legend PaintersThe Legend Painters

The Woodlands school has been influenced by The Woodlands school has been influenced by Norval Morrisseau, a self-taught Ojibwa artist who Norval Morrisseau, a self-taught Ojibwa artist who was the first to paint the secret legends of his people. was the first to paint the secret legends of his people. The Woodlands school gained recognition in the The Woodlands school gained recognition in the 1970s with Morrisseau’s rise to fame. The majority of 1970s with Morrisseau’s rise to fame. The majority of Woodlands artists working from the 1970s into the Woodlands artists working from the 1970s into the 1980s have been inspired and influenced by 1980s have been inspired and influenced by Morrisseau and as a group are also known as Legend Morrisseau and as a group are also known as Legend Painters for their depiction of imagery taken from Painters for their depiction of imagery taken from spiritual and mythological traditions.spiritual and mythological traditions.

Ducks

Thunderbird Dreams

Pride

Norval MorrisseauNorval Morrisseau Norval Morrisseau was born on March 14, Norval Morrisseau was born on March 14,

1932, at Sand Point Reserve, near 1932, at Sand Point Reserve, near Beardmore, Ont. He died on December 4, Beardmore, Ont. He died on December 4, 2007, at Toronto, Ont2007, at Toronto, Ont.. Morrisseau, or Morrisseau, or Copper Thunderbird as his name means in Copper Thunderbird as his name means in Ojibwa, was a self-taught artist who Ojibwa, was a self-taught artist who recorded the beliefs and legends of his recorded the beliefs and legends of his people. He had little formal education, but people. He had little formal education, but had a close relationship with his grandfather, had a close relationship with his grandfather, who taught him Ojibwa traditions. He who taught him Ojibwa traditions. He developed a style of painting known as developed a style of painting known as "Woodland Indian art" which combines "Woodland Indian art" which combines features from both Indian rock painting and features from both Indian rock painting and European art. In the 1960s, he was the first European art. In the 1960s, he was the first artist to break the barrier between native and artist to break the barrier between native and European art in Canada. Using simple bold European art in Canada. Using simple bold lines and strong bright colours, his "x-ray lines and strong bright colours, his "x-ray paintings" show the outside of bears, paintings" show the outside of bears, thunderbirds, and people as he sees them thunderbirds, and people as he sees them and their insides as he imagines them to be.and their insides as he imagines them to be.

Morrisseau (Cont.)Morrisseau (Cont.)

The paintings, like the legends they are based The paintings, like the legends they are based on, are full of symbols and opposites - good and on, are full of symbols and opposites - good and evil, human and animal, night and day. By evil, human and animal, night and day. By exhibiting these sacred images to non-Indians, exhibiting these sacred images to non-Indians, Morrisseau broke a tradition of secrecy and at Morrisseau broke a tradition of secrecy and at first met with strong opposition from Ojibwa first met with strong opposition from Ojibwa elders. He is now accepted, and many other elders. He is now accepted, and many other "legend painters" have followed his style of "legend painters" have followed his style of painting. Through his writings and his art, painting. Through his writings and his art, Morrisseau hoped "to reassemble the pieces of a Morrisseau hoped "to reassemble the pieces of a once-proud culture ... to show how dignified once-proud culture ... to show how dignified and brave my people once were. We were once and brave my people once were. We were once a great people."a great people."

Self Portrait of Artist – Astral Projection Mother and Child

Fish and Loons From Lake Nipigon

This Is The Way It Is

Self Portrait A Vision To Its Soul

Artistic InfluenceArtistic Influence

Native art influenced many non-native artists. Native art influenced many non-native artists. Two famous artists influenced by native Two famous artists influenced by native artwork and artistic styles are Emily Carr and artwork and artistic styles are Emily Carr and Ted Harrison.Ted Harrison.

Emily CarrEmily Carr Emily Carr was born on December 13, 1871, at Victoria, Emily Carr was born on December 13, 1871, at Victoria,

B.C., and she died there on March 2, 1945. Carr, who lived B.C., and she died there on March 2, 1945. Carr, who lived and worked alone on Vancouver Island, is one of Canada's and worked alone on Vancouver Island, is one of Canada's most famous artists. Although she decided to be an artist most famous artists. Although she decided to be an artist early in life, it was only when she was 57 years old that early in life, it was only when she was 57 years old that she began the paintings and writing for which she is she began the paintings and writing for which she is remembered. remembered.

She studied art in San Francisco, in England, and visited She studied art in San Francisco, in England, and visited France in 1910-11. France in 1910-11.

1908 she recorded the culture of the Northwest Coast 1908 she recorded the culture of the Northwest Coast native people, to paint their totem poles and carved log native people, to paint their totem poles and carved log houses. houses.

Carr returned seriously to painting in 1927 when her work Carr returned seriously to painting in 1927 when her work was exhibited in a national show in Ottawa. was exhibited in a national show in Ottawa.

On her trip to the east, she met members of the Group of On her trip to the east, she met members of the Group of Seven, and Lawren Harris in particular encouraged and Seven, and Lawren Harris in particular encouraged and inspired her. She continued to paint Indian themes, but inspired her. She continued to paint Indian themes, but turned increasingly to nature. Her skies and forests are turned increasingly to nature. Her skies and forests are alive with energy, movement, and shimmering light. alive with energy, movement, and shimmering light.

Indian Raven SkidgateIndian Hut, Queen Charlotte Islands

Raven

Indian Church

Ted HarrisonTed Harrison Edward Harrison was born on August 28, 1926, Edward Harrison was born on August 28, 1926,

England. England. settled in the Yukon in 1968. settled in the Yukon in 1968. He taught high school He taught high school His paintings, many of life in the Yukon, have His paintings, many of life in the Yukon, have

been shown in exhibitions across Canada. been shown in exhibitions across Canada. Harrison's first two children's books, Harrison's first two children's books, Children of Children of

the Yukonthe Yukon (1977) and (1977) and A Northern AlphabetA Northern Alphabet (1982), use vivid colours to depict the rugged (1982), use vivid colours to depict the rugged scenery and the variety of human activities in the scenery and the variety of human activities in the North. North.

The Blue RavenThe Blue Raven (1989) is the story of a heroic (1989) is the story of a heroic journey a Native boy makes to find help for his journey a Native boy makes to find help for his suffering people. suffering people.

Harrison has also illustrated Robert Service's Harrison has also illustrated Robert Service's The The Cremation of Sam McGeeCremation of Sam McGee (1986) and (1986) and The The Shooting of Dan McGrewShooting of Dan McGrew (1988), two famous (1988), two famous poems about the gold rush days of the 1890s. poems about the gold rush days of the 1890s.

Ice Library Day

The Boat

Whale Frolic Emily’s Place