Indigenous portrait artist from northern Ont. gets first exhibit

An Indigenous man from northern Ontario is getting his first art gallery exhibit in Thunder Bay next month to showcase his portrait drawings.

After winning an Ontario Arts Council grant last year, an Indigenous portrait artist from the Thunder Bay area is showcasing his work in an upcoming exhibit.

Gene Boshkaykin of Seine River First Nation in northwestern Ontario said he was about 10 years old when he got into art after being inspired by his sibling who was “really good” at drawing and painting.

He said his talent started showing in high school and his preferred medium is drawing with pencils.

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Over the years, he has created dozens of detailed portraits showcasing his Indigenous culture, including elders in traditional clothing and headdresses called regalia, along with well-known pop culture images.

“I love my culture, I love my people … and just finishing a piece … the effect that has on people once they see it and it just brightens their world, it makes my heart … just happy,” Boshkaykin said.

Grant winner

Last year, he was awarded a $12,100 Northern Arts Project grant as one of 31 recipients selected from 94 applications.

“The grant allowed me to bring my cultural vision to life, expanding my work and fostering greater understanding and appreciation of Indigenous heritage,” Boshkaykin said in a social media post about winning the grant.

“I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the local arts scene and to share my traditions through creative expression. This support has made a significant impact, and I look forward to continuing this important work.”

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Art gallery exhibit

Between 20 and 30 of his portraits will be on display at the Co-Lab Gallery & Arts Centre located at 251 Red River Road in Thunder Bay on March 21 from 7-10 p.m.

Boshkaykin said the exhibit will run for about two weeks.

‘It’s our time now’

The artist said the effort Canada has made toward reconciliation has been important to Indigenous representation and visibility.

“With reconciliation … and Canada being more open than other countries, … it’s just better for our people,” Boshkaykin said.

“We’re more out there, we’re more visible and you know it’s just, I think it’s our time now.”

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Until the Indian Act was amended in 1951, it was illegal in Canada for First Nations People to practice their culture.

In 2008, the Government of Canada formally apologized to all former residential school students, seeking forgiveness for the suffering they experienced and the negative impact it had on their culture.

Between 1857 and 1996, more than 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools.