Brian Waboose
Brian was born January 24, 1955 at Chapleau, Ontario known for his
colourful paintings symbolic of wildlife, natural phenomena, Indian culture,
and human experience in general. His
paintings, carvings and sculptures illuminate the conceptual reawakening of
Ojibwa thought within the universal languages of colour and icon. Many of
Brian’s paintings reflect his experiences early in life spent trapping with his
parents and grandparents. After the
death of Brian’s father he was taken from his home at age nine and placed at
St. Joseph’s Training School for boys. Brian was severely abused sexually,
mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and culturally by the Christian
Brothers while attending their institution.
From the Training Schools Brian was placed in a series of foster homes
from there he lived on the streets, in jails and detox centers. Today Brian uses his culture and various art
forms to assist him with the healing of these childhood memories. After working
for an extended period of time as a full time artist Brian has return recently
to studying art at the White Mountain Academy in Elliot Lake, Ontario. Brian has also studied at Trent University
and Ontario College of Art. Brian also gained experience as an art instructor
with the Toronto Board of Education. Brian is a self-taught painter, who
has achieved great success since he began his craft in 1977. His works have been on show at galleries such
as: Tom Beckett Gallery of Hamilton;
Crystal Art Gallery in Toronto, and the Woodland Cultural Center in Brantford,
Ontario. He has had displays of his
works at the Harbour Castle Hotel (Toronto),
the Chateau Laurier Hotel (Ottawa), the Royal Ontario Museum, Native Canadian
Centre, Anishnabe Health, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, and at
Queen’s Park in Toronto. Many collectors
in Germany, Spain, Mexico, the U.S.A., as well as throughout Canada have
acquired Brian’s artwork. Today Brian
lives with his wife and two children at Birch Island, Ontario. |
Untitled
Acrylic on Paper 28" x 20" 1980 $750 |
Untitled
Acrylic on Paper 20" x 16" 1980 $550 |
Untitled
Acrylic on Paper 16" x 20" 1980 $550 |