Patrick Hunter's Journey as an Indigenous Artist
Early Life
Patrick Hunter is an Indigenous artist from the Cree Nation. He was born and raised in the small community of Big River, Saskatchewan. As a child, he spent most of his time outdoors hunting, fishing, and trapping with his family. Despite being surrounded by nature's beauty and spending time creating things with his hands like building forts or carving wood boats for himself to play with on the river behind his house, Patrick did not initially consider art as a career path.
Finding His Passion
As Patrick grew older, he realized that he had a deep passion for art. He began exploring different mediums such as pen and ink drawings before discovering acrylic paintings on canvas which allowed him to express himself more fully through vibrant colors and bold lines. With encouragement from friends and family who recognized his talent early on in life - including well-known Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau - Patrick decided to pursue art full-time.
Professional Career
In 2007, Patrick moved to Edmonton where he established himself as a professional artist. Over the years since then, Patrick has developed an extensive portfolio showcasing both traditional woodland style painting techniques (which originated among Anishinaabe artists) mixed with modern elements inspired by pop culture icons like Star Wars or superheroes.
Influences
Throughout his artistic journey so far, Patrick has been influenced by many different people and experiences in life including other Indigenous artists like Daphne Odjig or Alex Janvier whose works were instrumental in developing indigenous art movement within Canada during mid-20th century; as well as contemporary artists working across various medium today that have helped him develop new techniques for expressing ideas visually through paintbrush strokes or digital design tools.
Overall it is clear that Hunter's background growing up around nature provided inspiration for much of what we see today when looking at one of his pieces: vibrant colors representing flora & fauna alongside intricate patterns derived from traditional cultural designs passed down through generations upon generations over hundreds if not thousands years making up this rich tapestry called "Indigenous Art".
The Influence of Woodland Style and Norval Morrisseau on His Work
The Woodland Style of Art
The Woodland style of art has its roots in Indigenous communities throughout Canada, and is known for its use of bright colours, flowing lines, and natural imagery. It emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to the dominant European styles that had long been imposed on Indigenous artists. The Woodland style was particularly significant because it allowed Indigenous artists to express their cultural heritage through their art, while also incorporating contemporary techniques and materials.
Norval Morrisseau's Influence
Norval Morrisseau was a prominent Anishinaabe artist who played a key role in popularizing the Woodland style. His bold depictions of traditional stories and legends helped establish this style as an important part of contemporary Indigenous art. Patrick Hunter cites Morrisseau as one of his major influences, and has said that he was drawn to Morrisseau's use of colour and form.
Hunter's work can be seen as a continuation of the themes explored by Morrisseau - both artists depict animals, humans, spirits, and landscapes with bold lines and vibrant hues. However, Hunter brings his own unique perspective to these subjects; his work often incorporates elements from urban life (such as cars or buildings) alongside more traditional imagery.
Overall, Patrick Hunter's art reflects both his personal experiences growing up in Edmonton's inner city neighbourhoods as well as his connection to traditional Indigenous culture. By drawing on the legacy established by Norval Morrisseau and other influential Indigenous artists before him, Hunter continues to push boundaries within the realm of contemporary Indigenous art today.
How He Incorporates Elements of the Canadian Group of 7 into His Designs
Who are the Canadian Group of 7?
The Canadian Group of 7, also known as the Group of Seven, was a collective of Canadian landscape painters who were active from 1920 to 1933. The group consisted of seven members: Franklin Carmichael, Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, Frank Johnston, Arthur Lismer, J.E.H. MacDonald and Frederick Varley. They sought to create a distinct Canadian art style that focused on capturing the beauty and ruggedness of Canada's wilderness through bold brushstrokes and vivid colors.
Their work was revolutionary for its time because it challenged traditional European styles that dominated Canada's art scene at the time. Instead of painting idyllic landscapes or portraits in muted tones, they painted wild landscapes using saturated hues and dynamic compositions.
Incorporating the Canadian Group of 7
Patrick Hunter draws inspiration from the works of the Canadian Group of 7 in his designs by incorporating elements such as color palettes and motifs into his pieces. For example, he may use vibrant blues and greens reminiscent of Varley's paintings or incorporate geometric shapes similar to those found in Lismer's works.
Hunter often merges modern design with traditional Indigenous imagery in his creations; this combination is evident in his houseware line which features mugs adorned with animals like bears or wolves rendered in bold colors evocative more so than realistic depictions.
This fusion results not only reflects Patrick Hunter’s own personal journey but also acknowledges how both past cultures have influenced contemporary society today - an accomplishment that has earned him recognition throughout North America as well as abroad making him one Edmonton artist worth paying attention to!
The Evolution of His Art from Canvas to Houseware
From Canvas Art to Houseware Products
Patrick Hunter's art has evolved from canvas paintings to houseware products over the years. This evolution began in 2015 when he collaborated with Canadian company, Danica Imports, to create a line of kitchen and home décor items featuring his artwork. The success of this collaboration led him towards designing more houseware products, including mugs, coasters, placemats and trays.
Designing Houseware Products
When it comes to designing housewares products, Patrick Hunter draws inspiration from his Anishinaabe heritage and woodland-style art that was popularized by Norval Morrisseau in the 1960s. He starts by hand-drawing his designs on paper before scanning them into a computer program where he refines the images using digital tools. After finalizing the design process, Patrick works directly with manufacturers who use different techniques such as screen printing or decal application methods for transferring designs onto various surfaces like ceramics or glass.
As an Indigenous artist living in Canada today whose work reflects traditional Indigenous styles while also incorporating contemporary elements into each piece produced - Patrick Hunter is considered one of Edmonton's most renowned artists. His unique style has been recognized around the world through exhibitions at galleries across North America as well as being featured on CBC Arts television program 'Exhibitionists.' Overall, Patrick Hunter's work is not only visually stunning but also carries deep cultural significance which makes it an ideal souvenir for anyone interested in Indigenous culture or supporting local artisans.
Supporting Indigenous Artists and Culture through Your Purchase
Supporting Indigenous artists and culture through the purchase of their creations is an important way to not only preserve their traditions but also provide financial support for these artists. By purchasing Patrick Hunter's work, buyers are not only getting a beautiful piece of art or houseware, but they are also supporting his community and cultural heritage. It is vital that we recognize the value in Indigenous art and culture by investing in it.
Purchasing Patrick Hunter's work can help support Indigenous artists and culture by providing him with a steady income stream, which enables him to continue creating unique pieces. Additionally, when people buy his designs from local shops or galleries, they are contributing directly back into the local economy rather than buying mass-produced souvenirs from big-box stores. This helps ensure that traditional practices remain relevant while preserving cultural identity.
The impact of supporting Indigenous artists and culture goes beyond just financial gain; it preserves language, stories, beliefs, customs and values that have been passed down for generations within those communities. It provides opportunities for future generations to learn about their ancestors' history while also promoting cross-cultural understanding between non-Indigenous peoples.
In summary, investing in Patrick Hunter's artwork means investing directly into Indigenous communities who have faced historical oppression at the hands of colonial powers. Through our purchases as tourists or collectors alike we can help create economic sustainability for these individuals whose cultures deserve recognition and respect. Supporting these artists ensures that this knowledge continues to be shared with future generations while helping maintain this critical part of Canadian heritage alive - truly making every purchase count!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Patrick Hunter's art and design is a beautiful representation of Indigenous culture. His journey as an artist has led him to incorporate different styles and influences into his work, including the Woodland style and Norval Morrisseau. By incorporating elements from the Canadian Group of Seven, he provides a unique perspective on Indigenous art that celebrates both traditional techniques and contemporary designs. Furthermore, his evolution from canvas to houseware demonstrates how Indigenous artists can reach new audiences while still maintaining cultural integrity. As consumers interested in supporting Indigenous art and culture, purchasing creations like those made by Patrick Hunter can help preserve these traditions for generations to come.