We all grew up with the Group of Seven...their paintings were in the principal's office, the bank,sometimes even on our stamps. The McMichael Gallery in Kleinberg is the spiritual home of these artists who began to explore the Canadian landscape in the 1920's. Tom Tomson's iconic The Jack Pine is always associated with the Group although he wasn't actually a member...weird.
A current show, featuring another group of seven, explores a totally different kind of landscape. The newer group originated with Daphne Odjig and Norval Mossisseau in the early 60's in northwestern Ontario and Manitoba.
Motivated by feelings that
aboriginal artists were marginalized and stereotyped, they wanted to present their perceptions of the Canadian landscape,
both physical and psychological, as equally valid to those of Lismer and
Varley. The existing notion of “Indian
art” limited and failed to express their skills and
sensibilities ; their techniques and themes were original and they deserved to be recognized in the mainstream art world.
I was particularly struck by Alex Janvier's work...incorporating traditional forms in an abstract style....with deeply political overtones.
He expresses himself movingly, "Art is old, but new, born every time the artist brings it back to life."
Joined in 1975 by Jackson Beardy, Eddy Cobness and Joseph Sanchez (the only American) they formed the Professional Native Indian Artists Inc and continued telling stories that are non western and that connect them (and us) to their traditions.These stories often instruct us how to act in the world, respecting the myriad beings in the environment around us. From Wounded Knee in 1890 to Moresby Island almost a century later, native people have risked their freedom and their lives to defend their land and their way of life. These artists remind us of our debt to these brave souls.
I'm always aware of copyright issues when taking images from the internet...I couldn't find attributions for the ones I've shown here, so if I've crossed the line and anyone lets me know, I'd be sure to correct it next time.
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