Indigenous artist Alex Janvier passes away at 89

Officials at the Assembly of First Nations annual general meeting say renowned Indigenous artist Alex Janvier from Cold Lake First Nations in Alberta has died at the age of 89.

Janvier, who’s considered one of the best painters in Canada is Denesuline from the Cold Lake First Nations has been a professional artist for several decades, he’s renowned for his distinct curved lines and use of bright color combinations. His work and ideas helped many other Indigenous artists find their path.

He was a contributing art instructor across various schools and colleges while being a strong advocate for Environmental and First Nation Issues.

Janvier’s art education came from 1953 to 1955 at the University of Alberta courtesy of Professor Carlo Altenburg before getting his Fine Arts Diploma from the Alberta College of Art in Calgary in 1960. He was a full time Artist from 1971.

His work now hangs across many public buildings across the country. Starting in 1964, numerous galleries across Canada have exhibited Janvier’s paintings in solo and group shows. In 2012, the Art Gallery of Alberta hosted a major exhibition of over ninety paintings.

Alex won many awards during his lifetime including but not limited to:

Distinguished Artist Award (2017)
Order of Canada (2007)
Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts (2008)
National Aboriginal Lifetime Achievement Award (2002)
Marion Nicoll Visual Arts Award (2008)
Alberta Order of Excellence (2010)

His work is widely collected and hangs in private homes and public galleries across the country and around the world.

Janvier was someone who wore many different hats and spread culture through awareness and art and will be remembered as a groundbreaking Indigenous Artist and belonged to the Indian Group of Seven.

The group was established in the early 1970s, it consisted of seven independent Indigenous painters, Jackson Beardy, Eddy Cobiness, Alex Janvier, Norval Morrisseau, Daphne Odjig, Carl Ray and Joseph Sanchez.