The Celebration


Title: The Celebration
Creator: Gabriel Dumont Institute, Christi Belcourt
Subject: Gabriel Dumont Institute, Great Métis of My Time, Christi Belcourt
Description: Gabriel Dumont Institute has acquired Great Métis of My Time, a series of paintings by Métis artist Christi Belcourt. This powerful evocative series of artwork will be housed at the Gabriel Dumont Institute in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Institute is very honoured to be able to add this series to the Institute’s permanent collection. The paintings include five portraits of famous Métis: Steve Powley, Harry Daniels, Maria Campbell, Tony Belcourt, and Jean Teillet. In addition, the collection also includes four complementary pieces including a “coat” for Harry Daniels, a “bandolier bag” for Steve Powley, as well as two other pieces which celebrate the Métis’ beading, and embroidery tradition. As the artist writes about the series:

“The Great Métis of My Time project is a series of nine paintings that through exhibition are intended to bring awareness of Métis history, Métis traditional art and Métis contemporary issues to a public audience. The paintings, produced in acrylic on canvas, portray the stories and the lives of five prominent Métis individuals whose determination to seek justice for Métis rights have changed the course of history for the Métis Nation in modern times.”

For further background information about these paintings, please visit the artist’s website at www.christibelcourt.com.

The Celebration, 2006
24” x 48”
Acrylic on canvas

This painting emulates traditional Métis beadwork commonly referred to as the “Subarctic” style, and is also influenced by beadwork styles and colours in Saskatchewan. The black background also emulates the traditional black wool trade-cloth common to traditional Métis beadwork.
Publisher: Gabriel Dumont Institute
Type: Image
Date of Copyright: April 16, 2009
GDI Media Filename: The Celebration [1024x768].jpg

Related Categories

Category Belcourt, Christi