Minds On
Notice and wonder
Explore the following two carousels of examples of two distinct styles of Indigenous artwork.
Métis beadwork
Explore the following carousel of images to learn about various examples of Métis beadwork.
- How does the artwork make you feel?
- Do you notice any similarities between each piece of art?
- Do you notice any differences?
If possible, share your thoughts with a partner.
The Cycle Shifts Clockwise by Katherine Boyer, 2018
Honour Mask, 2020 © Lisa Shepherd / Photo credit: In View Images
Métis Rose III, 2019 © Kristi Bridgeman and Lisa Shepherd
Image 1: The Cycle Shifts Clockwise, Katherine Boyer.
This piece is created using beads. It is a series of flowers; some have bloomed and some have not. They are shades of pink. Each flower bloom is interconnected through its green stem.
Image 2: Homour Mask, Lisa Shepherd.
This piece is called Honour Mask. It is a black cloth upon which a series of flowers are beaded. These are created using blue, pink, green, yellow, pink, purple, and red beads. On either side of the mask is a beaded flower with red, yellow and blue dyed horsehair attached.
Image 3: Métis Rose III, Kristi Bridgeman & Lisa Shepherd.
This piece includes beadwork and a variety of colours. The outer images are watercolour, celebrating flower beadwork, and the inner flowers are actual beadwork. There is a square with an exterior pattern of triangles. Inside the square is a large circle with a thick border. Inside the circles are a series of flowers, fruit and leaves.
These art pieces are examples of Métis beadwork. The Métis are known as the Flower Beadwork People and the style, materials and design of floral beadwork vary based on the distinct Métis community and artist it comes from.
In the example of the Honour Mask, by Lisa Shepherd, the blue flower in the middle of the mask is a forget-me-not, as the Métis were often referred to as the forgotten people.
The Métis developed beautiful beadwork patterns adapted from floral embroidered patterns introduced by Ursuline nuns working in the missions. By the 1830s, increasingly naturalistic and colourful floral designs became evident on Métis products from the Red River region. Beadwork was found on almost every item of traditional Métis clothing and functional hide and cloth work. The glass beads they used were procured from the trading companies. Beaded clothes included moccasins, coats, vests, belts, bags and mittens. Beadwork was also done on tablecloths, wall pockets, baby mossbags (baby carriers), and cloth picture frames.
Today, Métis artists and artisans continue to use floral designs when making traditional items and many other types of artwork.
Woodland Art
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Examine the following paintings.
- Can you think of one word that describes each artwork?
- How do the paintings make you feel?
- Do you notice any similarities between the paintings?
- Do you notice any differences?
If possible, share your thoughts with a partner.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Thanks for Helping Me by Shirley Cheechoo, 1984
Bear Cub by Norval Morrisseau, 1962
Blue Heron in the Moonlight by John Laford, 2010
Soul Fish by Norval Morrisseau, 1970
Image 1: Thanks for Helping Me, Shirley Cheechoo.
This painting depicts two figures passing a toboggan of goods. There is a child beside one of the figures. The background is blue sky with small, brown, bare trees and a snow-covered ground.
Image 2: Bear Cub, Norval Morrisseau.
A bear cub has a black bear with divided circles connected using lines of connectivity. There is one divided circle connected to the head of the bear, one to the tail, one to the front paws and one to the back paws. All of the divided circles are connected to each other as well.
Image 3: Blue Heron in the Moonlight, John Laford.
A painting of a heron, and three aquatic creatures in blue water at night. The aquatic creatures that resemble fish or orcas, seem to be illuminated by the moon and are created using black, yellow and brown with hints of sections of blue. The head of the blue heron appears behind the three aquatic creatures. Water splashes around all of them to mimic the motion of swimming.
Image 4: Soul Fish, Norval Morrisseau.
This oil painting of a fish has green paint surrounding the perimeter of the fish which is bordered with red paint. The fish has many shapes of different colours and shapes within its interior, including colours such as reds, yellows, purples, oranges, and greens. Within inner spaces and along back edge of the body there are lines of movement of various lengths.
These paintings belong to the art style known as Woodland Art and also referred to as Woodland School of Art or medicine painting. Woodland Art is an Indigenous art style. It includes spiritual imagery and symbolism and explores the relationships between people, animals, and plants. Woodland Art is one of the most recognizable types of Indigenous art. The style focuses on heavy black lines, vivid colours, and colourful, figurative images. The art pieces contain powerful meanings.
Action
Get ready, get set…
Indigenous art is the oldest in the world and includes practices outside the Eurocentric traditions of art. Indigenous art comes from living cultures, which means it can change over time. There are various types of Indigenous art in Canada. Woodland Art and Métis beadwork are just two examples out of many different types of Indigenous art forms. Indigenous peoples have extremely diverse cultures and communities, and these stories and their art forms are different according to the way each distinct nation expresses its worldview.
Elements of design in Woodland School of Art
The Woodland style of art was founded by First Nations artist Norval Morrisseau, an Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) artist from Northern Ontario. Morrisseau believed that Anishinaabe values and worldviews needed to be reintroduced to contemporary art to showcase the depth and beauty of Indigenous art and artforms.
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
- What do you notice about the painting?
- What do you think is happening in the painting?
- Do you recognize any of the animals in the painting?
If possible, share your thoughts with a partner.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
The following is a painting by Norval Morrisseau.
Artist and Shaman Between Two Worlds by Norval Morrisseau, 1980
A painting showing many animals and people in bright colours, primarily purple, blue, red, yellow, and pink. At the top is a large bird with wings shaped like snakes fully extended. Underneath the wings are four human heads with beaks and the bodies of animals. They are surrounded by birds, fish, turtles, and other creatures, as well as bright circles and streaks of paint.
Some of the main concepts that are featured in the Woodland Art are creation stories and storytelling within the work; images of transformation between humans and animals or being two beings at the same time called the Thunderbird; and the relationship between human and animal life.
There are some other common elements of design in Woodland Art. These include but are not limited to the following elements.
Press the following tabs to access more details about each element.
Characteristics of lines of power include:
- lines coming from the heads and bodies of both animals and people
- various lengths, thickness and intensity of colour indicate the quality of power
- ability to send and receive information
Explore the following quote about the painting Bear Walk.
“This is a medicine man who has turned into a medicine bear that has started a shaking tent ceremony and he stands over it in protection for the people and events inside. An ancestor has shown up as well as an owl
friend. He has a medicine bag around his neck.”
- Cory Dingle
Bear Walk by Norval Morrisseau, 1964
Note: A Shaking tent ceremony is an Anishinaabe spiritual ceremony.
How many lines of power can you identify?
A medicine man has turned into a medicine bear and has started a shaking tent ceremony. He stands over in protection of the people and events inside. He has brown exterior with lines of movement throughout his interior. There are lines of power emanating from his body and a line of connectivity between him and a divided circle. He wears a medicine bag around his neck. An ancestor rests on one foot in the form of an owl. A small two footed creature is behind the medicine bear emanating lines of power. Both owl and creature have lines of movement in their interior.
Lines of communication are flowing lines share relationships which reflect the artist’s understanding of nature and the connection between two beings.
Explore the following painting The Legend of Red Lake by Joshim Kakegamic.
How many lines of communication exist in this painting?
The Legend of Red Lake by Joshim Kakegamic
A painting of four-legged animal with antlers showing different shapes and colours inside its body. It is connected to two divided circles in the sky with lines, and think black lines are emanating from its back, belly, mouth, and internal organs.
Powerful creatures have lines of prophecy. A line of prophecy appears to by a vine-like line that can have leaves or flowers on it.
A prophecy line can come from the creature’s mouth to represent a prophecy, or a foretelling of the future.
What do you notice about the lines of prophecy in the painting Grandfather Teaching the Legends?
Grandfather Teaching the Legends by Norval Morrisseau, 1992
A painting of two human figures, an adult and a child, sitting in front of a shelter by the water. A long snaking line is coming out of the adult's mouth. In the water are two long boats with humans rowing, a group of islands, and a large snake with lines coming from its body, antlers, and a long forked line coming from its mouth.
- Short, clustered lines
- Lines of movement are often grouped near an organ (i.e. heart)
- Lines of movement can indicate an attempt to communicate with the audience
Note: These lines are especially powerful surrounding Shaking Tent (an Anishinaabe spiritual ceremony) imagery.
Explore the following painting The Legend of Red Lake once more by Joshim Kakegamic.
Where on the body of the animal has the artist included lines of movement?
The Legend of Red Lake by Josh Kakegamic, 1970
A painting of four-legged animal with antlers showing different shapes and colours inside its body. It is connected to two divided circles in the sky with lines, and think black lines are emanating from its back, belly, mouth, and internal organs.
The divided circle represents two contrasting parts of a whole also known as dualities. (i.e. day and night, sky and earth, good and bad)
Note: When connected with Lines of Communication it represents the duality of connection between worlds.
What do you notice about Mishipeshu’s shape and its connection to the divided circles?
Mishupishu by Norval Morrisseau, 1973
A painting of a creature with four legs, a long tail, and a long forked tongue. Its whole body, inside and out, is covered with jagged lines. Three divided circles are connected to the creature's belly, tail, and neck. The circles are also connected to each other.
Mishipeshu: Mishipeshu is a mythical underwater creature. In Anishinaabe tradition, he is also known as the underwater panther or lynx. Mishipeshu travels through underwater tunnels and when he speaks, he sounds like the rush of running water. Mishipeshu is known to be cunning and tricky but also can be helpful if given proper respect.
- shapes and colours inside of beings are known as x-ray decorations
- organic shapes inside of animals and people represent their inner spiritual lives How did Goyce Kakegamic incorporate x-ray decoration in the painting The Legend of Red Lake?
X-ray decoration is used as a representation of inner spiritual life.
The Legend of Red Lake by Goyce Kakegamic
A painting of a four-legged animal, a two-legged figure, and two birds travelling through a forest, all drawn with black outline and x-ray interiors using the colours red, blue and yellow. The interiors are circular sections with divided colours. NOTE: the text associated with this image in the drop-down menu needs to be edited - grammar issues.
How is Goyce Kakegamic’s painting The Legend of Red Lake similar and different from Joshim Kakegamic’s painting The Legend of Red Lake?
The colours often used in Woodland Art are often pure, vibrant colours outlined in heavy black lines. The lines represent connection between all living beings, plants and land.
Colours are not mixed or blended with each other in the art. Colours can be used abstractly to represent diverse ideas.
Explore the painting In Honor of Native Motherhood. Vibrant and varied colours might create an energetic and joyful feeling.
Do you connect with the painting?
In Honor of Native Motherhood by Norval Morrisseau
A painting an adult holding a child. They are close, face-to-face, and embracing. Their bodies are filled with organic shapes in purple, pink, red, blue, and blue-green, and their faces are red with mostly yellow eyes.
Use your learning to determine which element of design is highlighted by Morrisseau in the Woodland School of Art.
For each sentence, select the missing word from the drop-down menu.
The Indigenous Group of Seven
In the 1970s, a collective of Indigenous artists formed The Professional National Indian Artists Inc. or more commonly known as the Indigenous Group of Seven. These artists are:
- Jackson Beardy (Cree)
- Eddy Cobiness (Ojibway)
- Alex Janvier (Dene, Saulteaux)
- Norval Morrisseau (Ojibway)
- Daphne Odjig (Potawatomi, Odawa)
- Carl Ray (Cree)
- Joseph Sanchez (Pueblo, Spanish, German)
Together, they wanted to advocate for more representation and recognition of Indigenous art and artists in Canada. They also preserved the cultural teachings within their work so Indigenous people would feel pride in these pieces and never forget where they came from. Their work spanned decades and challenged Canadian society to think critically about Indigenous histories, worldviews and recognize the beauty in Indigenous art.
Today, the works of Morrisseau and the Indigenous Group of Seven continue to inspire and make space for generations of Indigenous artists to express themselves, their histories and their identities.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
Why do you think the work of Indigenous Group of Seven is important in representing Indigenous culture and the stories of different groups and communities?
Métis beadwork and art
Woodland Art is most notable for its use of black outlines and solid blocks of colour to illustrate shapes and forms in a bold linear style. Métis beadwork, on the other hand, concentrates on floral embroidered patterns.
Christi Belcourt
Christi Belcourt is a Métis visual artist from Lac Ste. Anne (Manitou Sakahigan) who has a deep respect for Mother Earth. She is known for her paintings that depict floral patterns inspired by Métis and First Nations art, especially Métis beadwork. She was inspired to paint from the beadwork on a pair of mukluks she received and decided to paint the beads. She is also known for her community activism for the lands, waters, and Indigenous peoples. Most of her work explores and celebrates the beauty of the natural world and traditional Indigenous worldviews on spirituality and natural medicines while exploring nature’s symbolic properties. Following the tradition of Métis floral beadwork, Belcourt uses the subject matter as metaphors for human existence to relay a variety of meanings that include concerns for the environment, biodiversity, spirituality, and Indigenous rights. In addition to painting, she works with beads, hides, clay, copper, wool trade cloth and other materials.
Explore the following carousel of images of beadwork and paintings by Christi Belcourt.
- What elements of art do you notice in the paintings?
- Do you notice any similarities?
Before you explore the images, recall the elements of design, which will support you in answering these questions.
What are the elements of design?
The elements of design are the basic attributes, ideas and parts of artwork that are used to create an artwork. The seven elements are line, shape, colour, value, form, texture and space.
Press the following tabs to check out the elements of design!
A diagram showing various types of lines and examples. Horizontal lines move from side-to-side, vertical lines move up and down, diagonal lines move at a forty-five degree angle, zigzag lines move in a lightning-bolt shape, and curved lines bend and swirl.
Lines are the paths left by a moving point, such as a pencil or a digital drawing tool. A line can be a mark, a guide, or a boundary that leads the audience’s attention in an artwork. Diversity in the type, orientation, and/or quality of lines can be used to suggest a variety of ideas, shapes, or emotions. For example, horizontal and curving lines can feel restful or inactive. Vertical and diagonal lines can create the idea of movement or action. Horizontal and vertical lines can create stability.
A diagram showing various types of shapes. Geometric shapes are traditional shapes like squares, circles, and triangles. Organic shapes are loosely defined and more free-flowing. Positive shapes are filled in their interior, and negative shapes leave an empty space around a shape.
A shape is a form that is enclosed or outlined. For example, when three lines meet they create the shape of a triangle. A shape has length and width. A shape’s boundary can be created by line, value, colour and/or texture. Shapes may be geometric or organic.
A colour wheel with labels. Red, blue, and yellow are primary colours. Green, orange, and purple are secondary colours. Cool colours range from purple to green-yellow, and warm colours range from red-violet to yellow.
In scientific terms, colour is the particular wavelength of light viewed by the eye when an object reflects or emits light. The four characteristics of colour are hue, value, intensity, and temperature. Colour categories include primary, secondary and tertiary. Colours can also be sorted into the temperatures of warm or cool colours. Cool colours include blue, green and purple. Warm colours include red, orange and yellow.
Value is the lightness or darkness in an artwork. Value is created by the gradual changes in the lightness or darkness of an artwork even when colour is absent. Changes in value can be created by adding white or black to a colour and/or by erasing or adding more art medium to an art piece. Value is used to create the illusion of texture and light in art.
Form is the three-dimensional shape and dimensions of an artwork, or objects within an artwork. Form can also mean the illusion of a two-dimensional object being three-dimensional. A shape can appear to be a form with length, width and height by using shading and/or perspective. Forms can be geometric or organic.
Texture is the feeling and appearance of a surface. Texture can be smooth, rough, furry or soft. Texture can be the illusion of texture or real texture.
A diagram of a landscape showing foreground, middle ground, and background. The foreground - a cluster of bushes and ground at the bottom of the image - is closest to the viewer. The middle ground - trees, water, and animals in the middle of the image - is at the mid-point from the viewer. The background - mountains and the sky at the top of the image - are the furthest away from the viewer.
Space can be the area around, inside, or between parts of an artwork. Space can be a physical distance between objects. Space can also be an illusion of distance in a two-dimensional piece. The illusion of space can be created by a variety of techniques, including overlapping parts, a variety of sizes, changing value or colour, the use of detail, and perspective.
Happiness by Christi Belcourt
So Much Depends Upon Who Holds The Shovel by Christi Belcourt
Beaded Pipe Bag by Christi Belcourt
Gun Panel (1) by Christi Belcourt
Image 1: Happiness, Christi Belcourt.
This piece is created using beads. It has a black background with the beads creating a variety of plant and flower species that are all interconnected to each other and with a flower in the centre of the piece. The colours are bold and include red, blue, green, yellow, orange, and purple.
Image 2: So much Depends Upon Who Holds The Shovel, Christi Belcourt.
This piece is created using beads. It is a large black background with intricate flower and plant species throughout the piece. These plants and flowers are interconnected and grow from three planters at the bottom of the piece. The colours used are predominantly pink, yellow, green, lighter shades of blue, orange, red and purple.
Image 3: Beaded Pipe Bag, Christi Belcourt.
This beaded piece is long and rectangular. It is a red backdrop with an interconnected series of plants and flowers vertically created centred in the rectangle, stretching from top to bottom. The colours included are red, green, blue, yellow and white.
Image 4: Gun Panel (1), Christi Belcourt.
This is a long, thin piece that is one long, interconnected vine with a variety of species of flower extending from the vine. The colours are muted. The background is black, and the colours used for the flowers include blue and pink. The vine is green.
What distinctions can you make between Christi Belcourt’s work and the work in the Woodland Art style?
Press ‘Answer’ to access the response to this question.
Belcourt’s focus on landscapes and floral designs in her work, without humans or other figures and this separates her work from Woodland Art.
Explore the following video where Christi Belcourt shares with us her inspiration for painting My Heart is Beautiful.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
- How did this video help you understand some of the elements within Métis art?
- How does Christi Belcourt use colour, line and shape and space in her painting?
- How do these help to create a balanced composition?
Press the following tabs to access the responses to the second question.
Go!
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Examine the following two paintings
- What do you observe?
- What do you notice about each painting?
- What distinctions do you notice?
- Which art style does each depict?
- What message do you think each artist is trying to communicate with the audience?
- Why do you think it is important to include these voices in the conversation about visual art?
If possible, share your thought with a partner.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Riding Thunderbirds by Norval Morrisseau
This image is a series of figures in a large circle. Surrounding the circle is a fish, a bear, and a bird as well as two circles with circular interiors. All of these are connected to each other surrounding the circle. Inside the circle is yellow and orange background. There are human figures riding on birds. Three humans on one bird and one human on another bird. The birds have x-ray interiors. The larger bird has an interior of purple, blue, orange and red shapes, including inside its wings. The smaller bird is blue, purple and green interior, including its wings. There are also small hills in the background of this circle and these have lines emanating from them. There are lines of circles as well inside the circle that are of varying sizes, some are purple and some are green. There are small lines emanating from the heads of the humans.
Press Description to learn more about the Thunderbird.
Medicines to Help Us by Christi Belcourt
This piece is created using beads. It has a black background with the beads creating a variety of plant and flower species that are all interconnected to each other. These include larger plants that are growing from the ground with orange stems. The plants and flowers extending from these branches were created using mostly greens, with blue, white, pink and a little yellow.
Press the following tab to access possible answers to the questions about the two paintings.
The first painting is an example of Woodland Art. There are clear and bold lines, and colours demonstrated through the work. This painting includes Thunderbird imagery. There are lines of power emanating from the land and animals in different parts of the painting. Perhaps this painting is communicating the interconnectedness and importance of all life.
The second painting is inspired by Métis beadwork. The image unites Belcourt’s beadwork and landscape paintings by combining the black background of her beadwork canvases with the imagery and style of her landscapes. The painting involves the study of individual plants. Maple leaves, the symbol of Canada, are present from the centre of the image. They also appear on the left and right sides of the canvas. Their presence suggests that the Métis are an integral part of this country and its history.
Consolidation
Putting it all together
Portfolio
Track your progress
Consider adding your answers to the reflection questions in your art portfolio.
- How are the designs of Woodland Art distinct from those of Christi Belcourt and her paintings inspired by Métis beadwork?
- How do the arts allow cultures to express their distinct identities and communicate it to others?
- Reflect on your own identity. Do you have stories from your own life that are expressed in your art?
- What are some examples of how you could use art to express your connections to your community, personal values, or cultural heritage and traditions?
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel...
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.