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Alex
Simeon Janvier
Canadian [b. 1935]RESIDENT
OF CROOKED RIVER; 1979
Oil on canvas
24 x 36 ins.
Sold @ $ 5,170
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Alex
Janvier was raised on the Le Goffe Reserve in Cold Lake,
Alberta. His formal art studies began in 1956 at the
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and Art (now
the Alberta College of Art) in Calgary. Janvier
graduated in 1960 with a diploma in Fine Arts and cites
Russian painter, Wassily Kandinsky, and Swiss painter,
Paul Klee, as artists whose works have been a major
influence and inspiration. In 2000, Janvier traveled to
Europe where he was able to see the works of his heroes
and mentors first hand. Over the years, Janvier's
paintings have been exhibited in a number of national
and international art exhibitions. Janvier's
contribution to the developing history of contemporary
First Nations in Canada has become an inspiration for a
new generation of young artists.
RESIDENT OF CROOKED RIVER is a classic example of
Janvier's highly personal artistic style and language.
Graceful lines carry the viewer's eye beyond the borders
of the canvas, reflective of Janvier's desire for
freedom and independence of expression. Political and
social commentaries are eloquently combined with
Janvier's feeling of free flowing design and lyrical
movement of paint. Janvier is inspired by his
environment, traditional beadwork designs as well as
First Nations politics. From 1966 to 1977, Janvier
signed his works with his Treaty Number, 287, as a
commentary on the Federal Government's imposed policy on
labeling who was an "Indian" and who was not.
Janvier felt that this policy was dehumanizing to First
Nations people.
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