Local documentarian chronicles impact of internationally renowned Indigenous artist

Famed Indigenous artist Michael Cywink is celebrated in a new documentary and art show in Huron County. CTV’s Scott Miller reports.

Michael Cywink was an internationally celebrated Indigenous artist who made it his mission to try and fill the void between Indigenous and non-Indigenous culture through art.

“Mike was a humble guy. He wasn’t in this for money. He wasn’t in this for fame. He was in this to make sure that the next seven generations had the tools that they needed to survive in this dual-type society that we have now,” said Cory Bilyea, a friend and Huron County based documentarian who followed and filmed Cywink for the past several years.

Cywink’s art is world renowned. The native of Manitoulin Island is internationally recognized for his Indigenous inspired art, completing more than 300 Indigenous murals at Ontario schools, while simultaneously working as an Indigenous culture consultant for Disney theme parks.

“He tried to create a bridge between Indigenous culture and, for lack of better words, non- native culture. Providing an outlet for people to learn from,” explained Bilyea.

Bilyea has brought more than 50 pieces of Cywink’s art to the Blyth Festival Art Gallery for a show running until mid-July. She’s also premiering a documentary that she shot and produced on June 21 in Blyth entitled, ‘The Creation Story of Michael ‘Cy’ Cywink.’

Cywink was supposed to join Bilyea for the premiere, but sadly, and unexpectedly, he passed away late last month.

“I’m so grateful that we were able to capture a lot of hi, before the arthritis took him,” said Bilyea.

Bilyea says Cywink will live on through his art, and the art of the many young artists, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, that he mentored.

“His mentorship for me, it saved my life. I love him, and I’m really, really going to miss him,” said Bilyea.

Cywink’s art show will be on display at the Blyth Festival Art Gallery until July 11. ‘The Creation Story of Michael ‘Cy’ Cywink’ premieres on June 21, and June 28 at the gallery.

“So, 300 murals, between 80 and 160 kids at each school. He reached a lot of people. He touched a lot of youth, and he’s influenced thousands of people in the art world,” said Bilyea.

More information can be found below:

• Michael ‘Cy’ Cywink Blyth Festival Art Gallery show
• EagleEyes Media Productions - ‘The Creation of Michael ‘Cy’ Cywink’ documentary trailer