“The Future All At Once,” installation view, McMullen Galley, Edmonton
Lauren Crazybull, a 24-year-old Blackfoot and Dene artist, has become the Province of Alberta’s inaugural Artist-in-Residence, the first such position in Canada. Her personal artist mission is to accurately portray First Nations people, against their colonial stereotypes, as she does in her compelling portraits.
Crazybull is a painter, illustrator and documentarian, whose recent focus has been working with youth through art. Her background is justice and Indigenous-related advocacy.
The painting is “Seth,” 2019 acrylic on canvas, 36.5” x 37”
Most portrayals of First Nations people from the 18th and 19th centuries fall into two categories: the brutal and faceless “Indian” shown attacking settlers, or the noble, if naive savage. While such paintings are being banished into museum basements, their dehumanizing stereotypes endure – review of Crazybull’s current exhibition (above).
She was chosen from 100 applicants for the residency, during which she will cross the province to end up with a painted collage of Alberta using portraits and different languages to highlight Indigenous stories. The one-year position comes with a $45,000 grant.
Lauren Crazybull: The Future All At Once is on view at the McMullen Gallery, Edmonton, through Aug. 4, 2019.
Lauren Crazybull’s website, here.
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She is an amazing painter – Thank you!!
A wonderful thing.
That’s really good. I’m glad she’s doing everything she can to destroy stereotypes of the indigenous people through art. I love it when people do that.
I agree, and I think it’s equally great that Alberta now has an Artist-in-Residence
Sure thing. It’s cool that they’re doing that with Lauren Crazybull. I hope this art program and her works leave a positive impact.