Artists star at business summit

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TORONTO - Business may have been the theme of the Native Business Summit, but Native artists received as much attention from the media, as well as from the public and from summit organizers.

And no wonder. "New Beginnings," featuring the work of Native artists from across Canada and from the United States, was the largest exhibition of Native art in Canadian history.

Curated by Robert Houle, himself an accomplished Native artist, the exhibit featured the work of more than 200 Native artists and artisans, ranging from traditional styles and media to the most contemporary artistic expression.

A special guest and keynote speaker was Alberta Native architect Douglas Cardinal, whose drawings and model for his most prestigious commission, the spectacular Museum of Man at Hull, were a part of the exhibit.

Another special feature of the exhibit was a tribute to "Creative Elders" - Native artists who made significant contributions to Canadian Native art including:

- Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak of Cape Dorset;

- Carver Tony Hunt, hereditary chief of the Kwakiutl of the B.C. coast, grandson of the legendary Mango Martin and world-known totem carver.

- Cayuga artist Joseph Jacobs, also a carver.

- Chipewyan artist Alex Janvier of Cold Lake.

- Ojibway Norval Morrisseau, founder of the woodland School depicting myths and legends.

- Daphne Odjig, a self-taught Odwa Indian who has created her own unique place in the Woodland School depicting stories and legends of her Manitoulin Island childhood.

- Bill Read of the Haida, the most revered contemporary Northwest Coast artist.

- Allen Sapp, the renowned Cree painter form the Red Pheasant Reserve in Saskatchewan.

A special tribute was also paid to a number of artists who are no longer living, including some who died young under tragic circumstance. Those honoured include Inuit artists Jesse Oonark, Parr, Piseolak Ashoona and Luke Anguhadluq; Woodland artists Carl Ray (who died at 35), Benjamin Chee Chee (who died at 33) and Jackson Beardy (who died at 40); Shoshone artist Sarain Stump, (who died at 29); Odawa artist Angus Trudeau, Gerald Tailfeathers of the Blood Reserve, and the acclaimed Objiwa artist Arthur Shilling, whose final, unfinished work was prominently displayed.

Other special exhibits included:

"Keepers of Our Culture," a celebration of Native women in the living arts originally presented by the Woodland Indian Cultural Centre at Brantford, Ontario, and featuring artists such as Sharon Williams, Valerie Whetung, Helen Wassegijig, Jane Ash Poitras, Glenna Matoush, Ziziane Gray, Ruth Cuthand and Mirelle Coutois.

"Visions," an exhibit of contemporary Native photography featuring the work of a number of Native photographers who are members of the Native Indian/Inuit Photo-graphers Association.

Works from the Hudson's Bay Company collection of Inuit art.

A display of North American Indian footwear from the Bata Shoe Museum.

A display of quillwork from a travelling exhibition organized by the Ojibwa Cultural Foundation as part of a special gathering of Native people on Manitoulin Island

in 1984.

"Robes of Power - Totem Poles on Cloth," is a display of 20 contemporary ceremonial button robes commissioned by Gitskan artist Doreen Jensen for the Adelaide Festival Centre Gallery in Australia.

Specially-invited U.S. Native artists included Hopi artists James Harvard and Helen Hardin as well as Fritz Scholder and Kay Walking Stick.

The exhibit was officially opened by Princess Anne, after her opening of the summit itself. She was greeted by Houle and several of the senior artists featured. After chatting with each of them briefly, the princess spent several minutes touring the show.