Daphne Odjig

Cultural Background: Ojibway/Odawa, Potawatomi member Wikwemikong Reserve, Manitoulin Island,Ontario

Daphne Odjig is one of Canada’s most celebrated and distinctive painters. She is a self-taught artist who began her artistic career in her youth, and has had the talent – and tenacity – to represent history from the viewpoint of an aboriginal heritage.

Ms. Odjig’s vivid paintings are in every major collection in Canada, as well as collections in the United States and throughout Europe. The National Gallery has taken over the lead on preparation of a catalogue for a retrospective of Ms. Odjig’s paintings. The show will open in Sudbury because it is the closest gallery to Manitoulin Island where she grew up.

In 2005, the Kamloops Art Gallery organized an exhibition of her art called ‘Daphne Odjig: Four Decades of Prints,’ which toured to major galleries across Canada, and was photographed for publication about her art. She received the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts in March 2007.

Ms. Odjig, who has lived in British Columbia for more than half of her life, has been recognized nationally with the Order of Canada, the Aboriginal Achievement Award, and four honorary doctorates from Canadian universities. Ms. Odjig received her 5th honorary doctorate on June 8, 2007 from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops.

Through her many successes, Ms. Odjig continues to serve as an inspiration and role model for young First Nations people and moved to British Columbia in 1945.

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Origine Culturelle: Ojibway/Odawa, Potawatomi member Wikwemikong Reserve, Manitoulin Island,Ontario

Daphne Odjig est l'une des plus célèbres peintres canadiens et son style des plus distinctes. Elle est une artiste autodidacte qui a commencé sa carrière très jeune, et qui, avec son talent – et sa ténacité – a bien représenté son héritage aborigène au point de vue historique.

Les peintures vives de Mme Odjig se retrouvent dans toutes les collections importantes au Canada, ainsi que parmi des collections aux États-Unis et à travers l'Europe. La Galerie Nationale est allé de l'avant et a préparé une rétrospective des peintures de Mme Odjig. Le salon ouvrira à Sudbury car c'est l'endroit le plus près de l'Île Manitoulin où elle a grandit.

En 2005, la galerie Kamloops organise une exposition de ses œuvres, intitulé “Daphne Odjig: quatre décennies d'impressions”, qui fait une tournée dans toutes les galeries importantes à travers le Canada, et qui a été photographié pour publier ses œuvres. En mars 2007, elle reçoit le prix du gouverneur général dans la catégorie médias et arts visuels.