Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part XVI)

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Goyce Kakegamic (b. 1948)
/One of the founders of the Triple K Cooperative in 1973/ -

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"Family Unity" - Serigraph, 19"x25", © 1981 Goyce Kakegamic
/Click on image to Enlarge/
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In an address presented in 1980 at the University of Western Ontario, Goyce Kakegamic, a prominent Cree artist stated:

"The aim...was not merely to establish a realistic record. The artist quickly realized that he could not draw a tree or animal as perfectly as it was made by the Creator so, in good sense, he did not try to do so. Instead, he sought out the spirit, or essence, of the tree, and represented this in his painting. This is the semi-magical characteristic so common to Native Art. The painting depicts the soul of the object. The art of representing visions or mental impressions is not new.

Today, the artist must turn to the elders of the community for age-old stories and legends, and infuse them with artistic meaning. Only those who have shared in native life gain the insights necessary to recreate that life in an art form. The basic rule is to arouse an emotional response in the audience. If the artist does not succeed in this, it may be either his own failure or that of the audience itself.

Woodland Native Art is not a primitive art form. It involves the latest in media and techniques. Its practitioners are not untrained or illiterate. The messages contained in the works are neither crude nor unsophisticated. Woodland Art is not an anachronistic curiosity cherished for its furtive glimpses into a bygone age. It is rather a representation of current philosophy and a culture that is alive and well today.

...Please do not think of us as 'Indian' artists, but rather, as artists who happen to be Indian".
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Goyce Kakegamic

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-Source (Text): "Art in the Woodland Tradition" - Compiled and Edited by William F. Colborne /Used with permission/
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>>> The below is a brief bio of Mr. Goyce Kakegamic posted at AGORA Online (A Newsletter for Faculty, Staff and Friends of Lakehead University) in an article 'Convocation 2007' . -
GOYCE KAKEGAMIC
Doctor of Letters, honoris causa
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"Goyce Kakegamic was born in Keewaywin in Nishnawbe Aski Territory and attended a residential school for his elementary and secondary education. He continued his education after high school and went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education at Lakehead University.
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His professional career encompasses three distinct paths – art, education, and politics. Kakegamic is a professional artist whose works have been sold across the country and internationally. As an educator, he has worked in his home community as a teacher, principal, and director of education, and after he left the North, he spent time as an education counselor for the Department of Indian Affairs.
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He spearheaded the establishment of Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute, an independent institute to serve the current and future post-secondary education and training needs of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) membership. In addition, he led the fight to better respond to the needs of First Nations. Goyce Kakegamic is the executive representative to the education self-governance negotiations between Canada and the First Nations of NAN which, if successful, could lead to a restoration of First Nations jurisdiction over education.
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For nine years, Kakegamic occupied the position of Deputy Grand Chief for Nishnawbe Aski Nation. In this role, he has effectively tackled a wide variety of issues – always with the quiet determination that characterizes both his personal and professional lives. Currently, he is focused on addressing high suicide rates among young people."
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-Note: Founded by Henry, Joshim and Goyce Kakegamic the Triple K Cooperative was a silkscreening company that reproduced their own work, as well as that of other artists like Paddy Peters, Barry Peters, Saul Williams, and their brother-in-law Norval Morrisseau.
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~ For more information about the Triple K Co-operative go to WIKIPEDIA.

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- >>> Reference posts: - Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part I) /Carl Ray/ - Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part II) /Daphne Odjig/ - Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part III) /Benjamin Chee Chee/
- Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part IV) /Jackson Beardy/ - Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part V) /Joshim Kakegamic/ - Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part VI) /Roy Thomas/ - Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part VII) /Arthur Shilling/ - Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part VIII) /Alex Janvier/
- Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part IX) /Eddy Cobiness/ - Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part X) /Martin Panamick/ - Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part XI) /James A. Simon - MISHIBINIJIMA/,
- Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part XII) /Carl Beam/,
- Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part XIII) /Norman Knott/,
- Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part XIV) /Clemence Wescoupe/,
- Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part XV) /Cecil Youngfox/,
- Red Lake Woodland Arts Festival: A Tribute to Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland Artists in 27 DAYS!, - Aboriginal Artists Defying Expectations & - Honouring the Spirit of Copper Thunderbird (Part I). -

* The print in this post: "Family Unity" - Serigraph AP IX/IX, 19"x25", © 1981 Goyce Kakegamic