Littlechild gives presentations to adults as well, including
university art classes and artists' associations. He speaks
eloquently and openly about his personal journey and accompanies his
remarks with selected slides from his body of work, which now
includes approximately 450 pieces. Experiencing these unemotional
but firmly stated observations combined with such powerful paintings
can metaphorically knock you to the floor. The Plains Cree and all
First Nations people have a fantastically effective ambassador in
George Littlechild.
When Littlechild tells you that he is constantly working, you know
he is telling the truth. Still, he doesn't feel oppressed by it all
since he has found what some would call his "right livelihood." This
happy state is clearly connected to the journey he began in Hobbema
in 1977. As his artist's profile states, "Littlechild believes that
each of us must know our past to experience the fullness of the
future."
To be completely accurate, this promotional piece should probably
read, "experience the fullness of the present." Littlechild doesn't
have a five-year plan in his back pocket. "What's here is now," he
says. "I live day to day. That way, there's no disappointment."
Still, even a casual observer can see that this relatively young man
has every reason to expect increasing fame and fortune. At the
opening reception for the recent Bearclaw Gallery exhibition, many
people from both his cultures flocked in, asking for autographs and
snapping up the paintings. Littlechild welcomed each new arrival
warmly, giving them his full attention while they were there, and
hurrying to say goodbye when they headed towards the door. The
paintings on the walls were just as alive as he was, practically
leaping out to speak to you. "People tell me," Littlechild says,
"that they connect strongly to my art and the messages it evokes."
Ah, yes. Indeed.
Career Highlights: George Littlechild
Jane Adams Children's Book Award (1994) and the National
Parenting Publications Award Gold Medal (1993) for This
Land Is My Land.
Solo exhibitions in Canadian cities each year since 1988, as well as in
Kasama, Japan; Seattle, USA; and Munich, Germany.
Part of group exhibitions in Canadian cities each year since
1984, including:
1998. Four Circles, Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural
Institute, Adelaide, S. Australia
1993. Canada's First Peoples: Syncrude Canada Limited
Travelling Exhibition, across Canada and in Tokyo, Japan
1992. Unending Journey, School of Visual Arts, New York
Heritage Community Foundation Presents
