The Artist - Artancestral

Biography

My fondest memories are being out on the land with my grandfather. Our farm was on the outskirts of Gravelbourg, a French settlement in southern Saskatchewan. I have vivid images of the land. I nurtured a love for knowledge, early in life; the study of science became a passion. Today my interests mostly align with nature. Later in life I developed fascination with art and expression in ceramics. Lately I am working with the emergences prairie landscapes within an organic clay form.

I am fortunate to have met learned teachers: Wendy Parsons, Zach Dietrich, Les Manning, JackSures, Robin Hopper, Rob Froese, Matt Long, Peter Callas, Serge Murphy at MetchosinSummer School of the Arts, Metchosin, BC at Medalta (Shaw Centre for ContemporaryCeramics), Medicine Hat, AB, and in Montreal with Le conseil culturel fransaskois. My relation with First Nation people has transformed my perspectives. I would like to acknowledge the knowledge keepers: Leroy Little Bear, Art Kaiswatum, Phillip Auger, Barb Frazer (wife), Norma Rabbitskin and Willie Ermine, for making a place for me into the learning circle.

I have exhibited in Galerie Gora, Montréal, Théâtre du Petit Champlain, Quebec City,Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery, the 2009 Cheonju International Craft Biennale,Cheonju, South Korea, AKA Gallery, Saskatoon, and Galerie Lux, Montréal and Sask Craft Coucil Gallery, Saskatoon. I have been featured on Radio Canada television’s Zigzag and C'est ca la vie.

Artist Statement 2021

Recognition and Intentions Conveyed

It is the living spirits of a consciousness that sustain all life-forms within the universe! Recent theories in cosmology and quantum physics speak to this mystery. Via a ritualized approach to art, I seek to connect with this living aspect of existence. In the artist’s way, I believe it is necessary to harmonize one's state of mind with the synchronicity of events; to discover interconnectedness. Listening becomes an essential quality.

First Nations and Japanese worldviews, acknowledge this underlying reality of consciousness, which has greatly influenced my art. Mostly, I explore the transformation of Nature’s organic forms as they reveal change and Spirit. Insights awaken a self transcendence to the emergence of the true essence of reality.

I manipulate clay without aggression or the desire to impose the ego. I surrender to the process, observe the changes and embody the expressions of the clay. Finally, I abandon my inspired creations to the energetic forces of fire and air.