Alex Janvier, a celebrated Alberta-based painter and a pivotal figure in contemporary Indigenous art in Canada, passed away on July 10 at the age of 89. The news was confirmed by his family through an Instagram post. In his honor, a moment of silence was held at the Assembly of First Nations annual general meeting on the same day. Celebrating the Legacy of Alex Janvier: A Trailblazer in Contemporary Indigenous Art
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to Janvier, writing on X, “His art reflected so much of Canada’s history, including some of the hardest parts of our story.”
Artistic Contributions and Style
Janvier’s vibrant abstractions often depict lush, natural forms and dynamic lines, reflecting both the beauty of the natural world and the historical mistreatment of First Nations. “Painting says it all for me,” Janvier stated in 2012. “It is the Redman talk in color, in North America’s language. Our Creator’s voice in color.”
Early Life and Education
Born in 1935 on Cold Lake Indian Reserve, now known as Cold Lake First Nations, northeast of Edmonton, Alberta, Alex Janvier was one of ten children. His father, Harry, was the last hereditary chief of their community before federal law enforced a system of elected officials. At eight years old, Janvier was sent to the Blue Quills Residential School near St. Paul, Alberta. This experience had a profound impact on him, as he later reflected, “It tears [apart] your language, culture, and beliefs. They probably removed a lot of it.”
Despite these challenges, Janvier defied the expectations for Indigenous people in Canada at the time. In his early teens, he began taking art classes at the University of Alberta, where he was influenced by European modernists like Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, and Joan Miró. He continued his education at Alberta’s Provincial Institute of Technology and Art in Calgary, now the Alberta University of the Arts, where he studied under notable Canadian artists such as Illingworth Kerr and Marion Nicoll.
Formation of the Indian Group of Seven
In 1973, Janvier co-founded the Indian Group of Seven, formally titled the Professional Native Indian Artists Inc., alongside fellow First Nations artists Norval Morrisseau, Jackson Beardy, Daphne Odjig, Carl Ray, Joe Sanchez, and Jackson Beardy. The group staged exhibitions of First Nations art at galleries across Canada, profoundly impacting perceptions of Indigenous art. Their work, which blended European modernist elements with Indigenous symbols and natural motifs, contributed to the “Woodland Art” movement, a term coined by Morrisseau.
The Indian Group of Seven also developed funding opportunities for young artists, exhibited Indigenous art in prominent galleries, and inspired emerging artists by visiting their communities and creating scholarships through sales of their work.
Legacy and Recognition
Janvier’s art is exhibited in public spaces across Alberta and held in prominent Canadian collections. Notable works include the mosaic “Iron Foot Place” at Edmonton’s Rogers Place and the 1993 mural “Morning Star-Gambeh Then” at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec. “His monumental work is a centerpiece of our museum,” said Caroline Dromaguet, the museum’s president and CEO. “Looking up to discover this work is an unforgettable experience, and I am comforted to know that Janvier’s legacy will live on.”
Throughout his career, Janvier received numerous honorary degrees and awards, including the Order of Canada, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, and membership in the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.
In 2003, Janvier and his family opened the Janvier Gallery in Cold Lake, Alberta, where he continued to create and display his work. “I am a free man because I can create,” he said in 2016. “I thank the Great Spirit for my family and for being able to express myself through my paintings.”
Conclusion
Alex Janvier’s contributions to contemporary Indigenous art and his efforts to bridge cultural gaps through his vibrant and meaningful works have left an indelible mark on Canada’s art landscape. His legacy will continue to inspire and influence future generations of artists and art enthusiasts.
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Source: https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/alex-janvier-artist-dead-1234711867/
