Date: Jun 11, 2021
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada – a time to recognize the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. Each June, the AFA honours and elevates Indigenous artists sharing selected artworks and their profiles from our collection as our Works of the Week.
This week’s Work of the Week is “Magpie” by Bruno Canadien.
About the Artist: Bruno Canadien
Born and raised in Denendeh in the Northwest Territories, Bruno Canadien is Dene (of mixed heritage) and a member of the Deh Gah Got’ı́é Kǫ́ę́ First Nation, a Deh Cho Region member of the Dene Nation. He now lives in southern Alberta, the traditional territory of the Blackfoot, Tsuu T’ina and Nakoda.
Bruno majored in painting and earned a Diploma from the Alberta College of Art (now the Alberta University of the Arts) in 1993. His pieces have been shown in solo exhibitions in Okotoks, Black Diamond and Calgary, and in group exhibitions in Calgary, Banff, Red Deer, Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie.
Through his work, Bruno address issues critical to First Nations peoples, including sovereignty, natural resources, environmental preservation and the oil and gas industries treatment of the land and its people. His collages, paintings and drawings and other pieces reflect his respect for his heritage and his passion for bringing important issues to the forefront. Through the language of art, Bruno is communicating the need for national attention.