Alex Janvier’s style is abstract and decidedly modernist. His blazing palette and radiating forms reflect the spiritual traditions of his ancestors. His abstract linear work is characterized by whiplashing pools of colour on negative space.
Janvier helped bring together Indigenous artists such as Norval Morrisseau and Bill Reid for the Indians of Canada Pavilion at Expo 67, where he contributed a mural. Janvier returned to Alberta in 1968 to teach adult classes at the Saddle Lake Indian School near St. Paul and Alberta Newstart Inc. in Fort Chipewyan. Late in 1971, he decided to paint full-time.
In 1973, he was a founding member of the Professional Native Indian Artists Inc., a group of seven First Nations artists seeking to market their own work. They are often referred to as the Indian Group of Seven.
Alex Janvier
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Alex Janvier was born on the Cold Lake First Nations, just outside the town of Cold Lake, Alberta in 1935. Proud of his Dene Suline heritage, it is a fundamental part of his artwork. Raised by his parents Harry and Mari, he had humble, but loving beginnings. His talent was encouraged by Father Rolande at Blue Quills Indian Residential School. Later, he obtained a Fine Arts Diploma from the Alberta College of Art in Calgary in 1960. He has not held back since. With international exhibitions, Alex has been recognized worldwide. His distinct curved lines and use of bright colour combinations are fundamental to his style. In 1995 he completed the astounding piece entitled “Morning Star” in the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec. Because the piece was done on a ceiling dome, he earned the name “Alexangelo.” As one of Canada’s most accomplished artists, Janvier has also been commissioned to paint more than a dozen murals in major public buildings and schools across Canada.
"In 1960 the world wasn’t ready for a First Nations artist interested in contemporary painting. Whatever work I produced was a surprise to most people. It has been a long trail and I’m glad I did what I did. I think I had good fortune not to give up or give in. I am very grateful to those who did take me seriously and supported this new energy in the art world. I have accomplished more than I ever dreamed. This is just part of my story, the rest is in the painting!"
Notable Awards or Recognition:
2002 National Aboriginal Lifetime Achievement Award. 2001 Tribal Chiefs Institute Lifetime Achievement Award. 2001 Cold Lake First Nations Lifetime Achievement Award. 1992 Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts. 1985 Canada/China Cross Cultural Exchange Tour.
Art Education: 1960 Fine Arts Diploma, Alberta College of Art, Calgary, Alberta.
Collections:
Alberta Art Foundation, Government of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Society, Edmonton, Alberta. AMACO Canada Ltd., Calgary, Alberta. The Late Helen E. Band Collection, Toronto, Ontario. The Saidye and Samuel Bronfman Memorial Collection, Montreal, Quebec. The Canada Council Art Bank, Hull, Quebec. Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull, Quebec. Cinader Collection, Toronto, Ontario. Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, Ontario. Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Ottawa, Ontario. City of Edmonton, Edmonton, Alberta. Edmonton Art Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta.. Edmonton Public Schools Board, Edmonton, Alberta. Esso Oil Resources, Calgary, Alberta. Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Alberta. Government of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. Gulf Oil Resources, Calgary, Alberta. McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinberg, Ontario. Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Montreal Museum of Fine Art, Montreal, Quebec. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. National Museum of Man, Ottawa, Ontario. The Late Lester B. Pearson Collection, Ottawa, Ontario. Petro-Canada, Calgary, Alberta. Shell Canada, Calgary, Alberta. Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Toronto Dominion Bank, Toronto, Ontario. Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Untitled, 1973
Artist: Alex Janvier
Medium: Gouache on Paper
Size: 22 x 15 Inches
Code No.: MA21
Price: $14,500.00 Framed
SOLD
The Red Movement
Artist: Alex Janvier
Medium: Watercolour on Paper
Size: 18 Inches in Diameter
Code No.: JKC02
Price: $7,500.00 Framed
One Year Later
Artist: Alex Janvier
Medium: Watercolour on Paper
Size: 30 x 22 Inches
Code No.: JKC01
Price: $12,500.00 Framed
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