Alex Janvier

Alex Janvier was born on Le Goff Reserve, Cold Lake First Nations, northern Alberta, on February 28, 1935[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/alex-janvier/ "Alex Janvier"]. The Canadian Encyclopedia. of Dene Suline and Saulteaux descent. At the age of eight, he was sent to the Blue Quills Indian residential school near St. Paul, Alberta, where the principal recognized his innate artistic talent and encouraged him in his art.[https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/local-arts/artist-alex-janviers-work-on-display-at-national-gallery "Artist Alex Janvier's work on display at National Gallery"]. Calgary Herald, Peter Robb: November 26, 2016

Janvier received formal art training from the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art in Calgary (now the Alberta University of the Arts) where he encountered the influence of European modernists. Janvier's practice also drew from the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of the Dene in northern Alberta.{{cite web |title=Ancient Relics by Alex Simeon Janvier |publisher=Cowley Abbott |date=December 6, 2023 |url=https://cowleyabbott.ca/artwork/AW44572}} He graduated with honours in 1960. He was one of the first Canadian First Nations artists to train in a professional art school.{{Cite book|title=Native North American Art|last1=Berlo|first1=Janet C.|last2=Phillips|first2=Ruth B.|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1998|location=Oxford|pages=227–229}}

Immediately after graduation, Janvier took up an opportunity to instruct art at the University of Alberta. In 1966, the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs commissioned him to produce 80 paintings. He helped bring together a group of artists for the Indians of Canada Pavilion at Expo 67, among them Norval Morrisseau and Bill Reid. Janvier ran Janvier Gallery in Cold Lake, Alberta, with his family.[http://canadacouncil.ca/council/news-room/news/2008/governor-generals-awards-in-visual-and-media-arts-announcement-of-winners "Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts: Announcement of winners"]. March 25, 2008 Canadian Council for the Arts

In 2016, a retrospective exhibition of his work opened at the National Gallery of Canada.[https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/visualarts/2016/11/27/alex-janvier-comes-full-circle-with-national-gallery-retrospective.html "Alex Janvier comes full circle with National Gallery retrospective"]. Toronto Star, November 27, 2016, Vinay Minon. Also, in 2016 Janvier's large mosaic {{lang|chp|Tsą tsą ke kʼe}} (Iron Foot Place) was installed at Rogers Place in Edmonton.[https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/david-staples-dont-moan-eh-1-6-million-in-public-art-at-rogers-place-draws-praise-and-criticism "David Staples: Don't moan, eh: $1.6 million in public art at Rogers Place draws praise and criticism"]. David Staples, Edmonton Journal, November 18, 2016{{Cite news |date=September 8, 2016 |title='A thing of beauty': Alex Janvier's tile mosaic unveiled at Rogers Place |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/a-thing-of-beauty-alex-janvier-s-tile-mosaic-unveiled-at-rogers-place-1.3753379 |access-date=July 11, 2024 |work=CBC News}}

Janvier died on July 10, 2024, at the age of 89.{{Cite web |last=Nayyar |first=Rhea |date=2024-07-16 |title=Alex Janvier, Indigenous Painter of Evocative Abstractions, Dies at 89 |url=http://hyperallergic.com/934599/alex-janvier-indigenous-painter-of-evocative-abstractions-dies-at-89/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Hyperallergic |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Ditmars |first=Hadani |date=2024-07-18 |title=Alex Janvier, visionary First Nations artist based in Canada, has died, aged 89 |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/07/18/alex-janvier-visionary-first-nations-artist-based-in-canada-has-died-aged-89 |website=The Art Newspaper}}{{Cite news |last=Weber |first=Bob |date=July 10, 2024 |title=Flowing lines, intricate designs: Renowned artist Alex Janvier dies at age 89 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/renowned-artist-alex-janvier-dies-at-age-89-1.7259618 |work=CBC |publisher=The Canadian Press}}

Janvier, the 'first Canadian native modernist,'[http://www.ccca.ca/c/writing/h/houle/hou007t.html Centre for Canadian Contemporary Art] created a unique style of modernist abstraction, his own "visual language," informed by the rich cultural and spiritual traditions and heritage of the Dene in northern Alberta. His abstract style is particularly suited to large-scale works. He made magic arts{{clarify|date=April 2020}} and three-dimensional works. Two of his stylistic influences among Western artists were Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky while, among Native traditions, he was particularly inspired by the abstract patterns of traditional hide-painting, beadwork and quillwork.

Janvier signed his paintings with his treaty number from 1966 to 1977 to protest government policies against Aboriginal people.[http://www.naaf.ca/html/a_janvier_e.html National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025124910/http://www.naaf.ca/html/a_janvier_e.html |date=2007-10-25}} He also made references to treaty language in the "ironic and allusive" titles of his art, such as "Sun Shines, Grass Grows, Rivers Flow", grounding his abstract art in political conflicts.

In 1993, a large abstract painting by Janvier, Morning Star, was installed at the river end of the Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of History, where a seven-storey-high dome rises above the granite floor. Janvier created the painting with the assistance of his son Dean, between June and September. Janvier titled the work Morning Star in reference to the star's use as a direction-finder. He planned the four areas of colour in the outside ring to represent periods in Native history: yellow, for early history in harmony with nature; blue, for the changes brought about by contact with European civilization; red, for revival and optimism; and white for reconciliation and a return to harmony.[http://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/tresors/treasure/283eng.shtml "Morning Star". Treasures Gallery, Canadian Museum of History]

• 2018: Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence[https://www.alberta.ca/acn/201004/28160166411A8-CC31-FF8B-FBD35889EE5584D6.html Alberta's top citizens chosen to receive province's highest honour]
• 2008: Marion Nicoll Visual Art Award, Alberta Foundation for the Arts
• 2008: University of Calgary honorary degree, Doctor of Laws
• 2008: Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts{{cite web |title=Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts Archives |url=https://en.ggarts.ca/the-awards/winner-archives |website=en.ggarts.ca |publisher=Governor General of Canada |access-date=2021-06-25}}
• 2008: University of Alberta honorary degree (Doctor of Laws)
• 2007: Member of the Order of Canada.
• 2005: Centennial Medal for outstanding service to the people and province of Alberta.
• 2002: National Aboriginal Achievement Award
• 2001: Tribal Chiefs Institute Lifetime Achievement Award.
• 2001: Cold Lake First Nations Lifetime Achievement Award.
• 1992: Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts.
• 1985: Canada/China Cross Cultural Exchange Tour because he made magic{{clarify|date=April 2020}} and three-dimensional arts

• 2005: CBC ArtSpot
• 2004: The Sharing Circle, segment featuring Alex Janvier.
• 1991: Investment in Art, Alberta Art Foundation, Edmonton, Alberta.
• 1991: Echo Des Songes, Arthur Lamothe, Montreal, Quebec.
• 1984: Seeing It Our Way: Alex Janvier, CBC Edmonton.
• 1983: Our Native Land: Alex Janvier, CBC/CBO.
• 1973: Canadian Indian Canvas, Henning Jacobsen Productions, Toronto, Ontario.
• 1973: Colours of Pride, National Film Board of Canada.
• 1973: Alex Janvier: The Native Artist, Alberta Native Communications Society.

• 2019: Honorary MFA, Alberta University of the Arts, Calgary, Alberta.{{Cite web|url=https://www.auarts.ca/news/alex-janvier-honorary-mfa|title=Alex Janvier to receive university's first honorary MFA {{!}} Alberta University of the Arts|website=www.auarts.ca|access-date=2019-05-25}}
• 1960: Fine Arts Diploma, Alberta College of Art, Calgary, Alberta.

• Alberta Art Foundation, Government of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
• Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Society, Edmonton, Alberta
• AMACO Canada Ltd., Calgary, Alberta
• Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
• The Late Helen E. Band Collection, Toronto, Ontario
• The Saidye and Samuel Bronfman Memorial Collection, Montreal, Quebec
• The Canada Council Art Bank, Ottawa
• Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, Quebec
• Cinader Collection, Toronto, Ontario
• Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, Ontario
• Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Ottawa, Ontario
• City of Edmonton, Edmonton, Alberta
• Edmonton Public Schools Board, Edmonton, Alberta
• Esso Oil Resources, Calgary, Alberta
• Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Alberta
• Government of Alberta, Edmonton
• Gulf Oil Resources, Calgary, Alberta
• McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinberg, Ontario
• Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal, Quebec
• National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
• The Late Lester B. Pearson Collection, Ottawa, Ontario
• Petro-Canada, Calgary, Alberta
• Shell Canada, Calgary, Alberta
• Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, Ontario
• Toronto Dominion Bank, Toronto, Ontario
• Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, Manitoba

At the Cowley Abbott Auction of Important Canadian & International Art, December 6, 2023, Lot #20, Janvier's Ancient Relics (1980), oil on linen, 48 x 72 ins ( 121.9 x 182.9 cms ), Auction Estimate: $30,000.00 − $50,000.00, realized a price of $312,000.00. At the same auction house, May 30, 2024, Lot #46, Dene (The People) (1991), acrylic on canvas, 60.25 x 48 in ( 153 x 121.9 cm ), Auction Estimate: $50,000.00 − $70,000.00, realized a price of $120,000.00.{{cite web |title=Lot #46 |url=https://cowleyabbott.ca/artwork/AW46464 |website=cowleyabbott.ca |publisher=Cowley Abbott Spring Live Auction of Important Canadian Art |access-date=31 May 2024}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=Hill |first1=Greg A. |title=Alex Janvier |date=2016 |publisher=National Gallery of Canada |location=Ottawa |isbn=9780888849434|url=https://library.gallery.ca/search~S1?/ahill%2C+Greg/ahill+greg/1%2C1%2C28%2CB/frameset&FF=ahill+greg+a+++++1967&4%2C%2C28 |access-date=31 May 2024}}

• [http://www.alexjanvier.com/ Alex Janvier's Official Website]
• [http://www.seventhgenerationgallery.com/ Seventh Generation Gallery] in the Netherlands, Europe, including art of Alex Janvier.
• [http://www.historymuseum.ca/morningstar/ Morning Star − Gambeh Then’ virtual exhibition] from Canadian Museum of History.

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Category:1935 births

Category:2024 deaths

Category:20th-century First Nations people

Category:21st-century First Nations artists

Category:Artists from Alberta

Category:First Nations painters

Category:Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts winners

Category:Indspire Awards

Category:Members of the Alberta Order of Excellence

Category:Members of the Order of Canada

Category:Members of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts

Category:Saulteaux people