Anyone who has a touch of the procrastinator in them, art lover or not, will appreciate Janice Iniskim-Aki Tanton's approach to her upcoming show at Canada House Gallery. On Tuesday (Sept.
Anyone who has a touch of the procrastinator in them, art lover or not, will appreciate Janice Iniskim-Aki Tanton's approach to her upcoming show at Canada House Gallery.
On Tuesday (Sept. 22), when called for an interview, Tanton had to quickly wipe paint off her hands as she was deeply involved in finishing the final and critical piece for her show - for which the official opening is Saturday (Sept. 26, 1-3 p.m.) and for which the rest of her works are already adorning Canada House walls.
Not to worry, though, said Tanton, as The Promise: Sacred Bundle - Stonechild is the piece which holds the deepest meaning for her and thus required the deepest effort.
In all, Tanton will have about 30 of her oils displayed at Canada House; all of which are very personal to her and all of which are in keeping with the theme of the show - All My Relations (Oki Niksokowa) - which will surround the installation of a vintage red canoe.
Her works range from muted, earthy tones used in the depiction of tipis to the natural colours and texture of bear, wolf and moose, to bold colours applied with palette knife to works embossed with 22 carat gold leaf.
All of the works represent place, home, family, wildlife that is near and dear to her and her adopted Blackfoot who honoured her with the name Buffalo Stone Woman - these are all critical elements in Tanton's new show.
“The hardest is always the last,” Tanton said of The Promise, “but it has to be just right and we've left a space for it. This show represents about a year and a half of work. They are different sections of work that represent a visual statement.”
Tanton is the former manager of Aboriginal Leadership at The Banff Centre, is an interdisciplinary artist who has worked for more than 24 years to create works that resonate widely. She is an Alumna of Distinction (Creative Arts & Design) from Durham College and studied at the University of Windsor BFA (Acting). She has worked professionally in theatre, film, music, vocal performance and graphic design and launched her own art, publishing and design company in 1989.
She has been represented by Canada House since 2013, a pivotal year for the artist as it was also the year she was diagnosed with cancer. For a time, the cancer, which began in her right leg, threatened not only her life and her important family life, but her painting career as it negatively affected her right arm and shoulder.
“That was a tough time,” she said. “Cancer is a terrible disease that certainly causes great changes in your life. I had three surgeries in three years ... but I'm still alive. I'm just finishing my treatments and I have to say I've been blessed in the Bow Valley to have so many wonderful professionals working with me.
“It was a real battle, but there are such amazing practitioners in the valley to help. I have three kids, so I had to fight to stay alive for them.”
For her part, Canada House Gallery owner Barbara Pelham said, “we are thrilled and proud to present Janice Iniskim-Aki Tanton's work and, in particular, this collection, which is influenced by iconic Canadian and First Nations imagery.
“These cultural icons are interwoven as she deftly explores the beauty and impact of history and spirituality. The visual effect is both powerful and soft. The large-scale paintings and focussed compositions are commanding, yet the soft palette and edging brings a gentle calm to the work.
“The effect is a tender power - a unique and unexpected dichotomy.It is a pleasure to work with Janice and showcase her work to our clientele and gallery friends.”
In choosing the works for Oki Niksokowa, Tanton chose those with special meaning.
“All the animals are ones I've had some sort of relationship with and some represent Blackfoot life and help celebrate both of my families (Blackfoot and her Ontario family) together. Both my Blackfoot father and my dad from Ontario will be at the opening; it's a time for all of us to get together.”
While working at The Banff Centre, she was honoured to have been adopted as the daughter of Elder Tom Crane Bear of the Siksika Nation (NAAF Culture and Spirituality Award Recipient), initiated into the pow wow dance circle, is a tipi owner and was given the Blackfoot name Iniskim-Aki.
“There's a lot going on in Banff and I've been well supported by the art community,” said Tanton. “And I feel a real awakening after the Truth and Reconciliation (Commission of Canada) findings. I think my art always tries to focus on reconciliation and focus on history or the past.
“It's (melding of aboriginal and non-aboriginal) a tough conversation to have, but I think art is a great vehicle to open discussions on racism and indigenous peoples in Canada. Art can create person-to-person relationships, or a person can simply like what they see without looking for deeper meaning.”
The canoe, for example, may be viewed as a recreational vehicle for outdoor pursuits, or as a symbol of colonization in Canada's past.
“I have a lot of experience to bring into my work and I feel a need to articulate my work. I want people to think about it. The canoe, for example; was that a good thing or not? For some, there is a historical context, for others, it's a reminder of a beautiful time they had.
“I've had the privilege and learned so much from incredible athletes in North America, some with comments on American society, and I share a philosophy with other artists that helps me articulate on being Canadian. This is the path I'm on until I die.”
In her artist's statement, Tanton writes, “in Oki Niksokowa - All My Relations, I have prepared paintings for Canada House Gallery that are very, very personal to me and the relationships that I have with just some of the beings, things and places that have touched my life. In some cases, the objects remind me of a significant place on this land that is related to me, that I have come to love unconditionally and wholly.
“In some cases, the animals represent the spirit of a loved one as well as the ‘relation' that they are ... in and of themselves. Place and home has deep meaning for me and this is reflected in the iconic image of the lodge.
“As a tipi bundle owner, I understand the meanings, the stories and importance of the lodge, the symbols of the land, the animals and the cosmos that are embedded with song and story - not to be separated, but as one bundle of sacred place and protection.
“Having a ‘home' is an important relational element and the lodge bundle is symbolic of that.”
