First Nations Baskets at the Museum of Civilisation, Ottawa

Yesterday, we spent at least two hours studying the wonderful collection of First Nation (indigenous, native, Indian) artifacts located on the first floor of Ottawa's Museum of Civilisation. Anne and I were in the company of her flat-mate from 1965-6 and her husband. They both were fascinated by the history of the First Nations of Canada, and could hardly be torn away from the many well staged artifacts.


Anne's friend, Helen, was fascinated by the bead work. I, of course, could not tear myself away from the baskets, some dating back for centuries. Baskets such as these are an inspiration for my work as well as a source of wonder. I was particularly fascinated by baskets made from cedar roots and bark.




I find that many of the baskets I make echo in some small way the baskets of First Nations people. I too like to embellish some of my work with curls as in the adjacent photo. My weaving is with rattan cane, though, not split ash as in this case.






Enjoy.

Woodland Metis Art

We lived in Red Lake from 1972 to 2001 for the largest part of my teaching career and for the first years of my retirement. While there we were exposed to the native art scene that had its focus there. Wickepedia labells that First Nation Art movement as "Woodland Metis Art." Its leaders included Norval Morriseau, the first native artist to have an exhibition at Ottawa's National Art Gallery. While we did not have the opportunity to purchase any work by Morriseau, we did purchase these two examples of work by another artist in that school, Peter Kakegamic


I added these works to the Vintage section of my Etsy shop yesterday. We do not have enough wall space for all the art we have now so we are making some efforts to downsize the art collection. That effort is a necessary one to make since, just before Christmas, I pursuaded Anne to purchase another painting for me. This was a painting by ex-student of mine, one I taught Geography to and rugby in my early years of teaching at Rideau District High School in Elgin, Ontario!