b'ART MEETS COMMERCEALEX JANVIER:ARTIST, ICON, GUIDING LIGHTBy Matthew BradfordT h i s p a s t y e a r t h e w o r l d l o s t o n e o f i t s b i g g e s t a n d m o s t i n f l u e n t i a l I n d i g e n o u s a r t i s t s , b u t h i s f a m i l y c o n t i n u e s t o k e e p h i s l e g a c y a l i v eH ighabovetheCanadiannearColdLake149(LeGoffIndiangrowing up on a reserve and living MuseumofHistoryinReserve) where he was born in 1935.in a small log home where his family Gatineau, Qubec is whereIt is also where his family continues todidnt have the luxury of paper and youllfindAlexJanvierstake pride in showcasing his diversecrayons. After it rained, he would go MorningStar.Craftedforportfolio to the world and maintainingoutsidewhenthemudwasreally the Grand Halls dome by the Denethe legacy of a beloved husband, father,smooth and use a stick to start drawing Sulin painter and his son Dean in 1993,grandfather,great-grandfatherandbecause, for him, that was as good as a thisvibrantmuralevokesthecircleIndigenous artist. paper surface. of life, Indigenous philosophies, and the Indigenous and European cultureAs a family, we wanted to show hisEven then, adds Tyesha, it was unlikely clashes that define Canadas early history.works that showed his vast talent, saysJanvier knew he could turn his affinity It is a masterwork by any standard, andTyesha John, the artists granddaughterfor drawing into a lifelong career: I among the many captivating pieces thatand the gallerys office manager. Here,dont think he thought of being an artist form a celebrated artistic career that[Alex] was free to create whatever heas a profession as a child. It probably sadly concluded with Janviers recentwanted, which is also probably whywasnt something he was aware that passing in July 2024 at the age of 89. he was able to produce such a vastpeople could do.Prolific and successful are apt wordsamount. We are so very proud to be a to describe his career. Since turningpart of his family, and to be able to workThroughouthischildhood,Janvier his passion into a full-time professionwith him has been such an honour. also drew inspiration from the women in 1972, Janvier produced thousandsaround him. According to his family, ofpiecesthattodayadorngalleries,LIFETIME OF INSPIRATION he would often talk about the fond museums,publicbuildings,sportsThere was never a time when Janviermemorieshehadofwatchinghis arenas, and private collections aroundwasnt making art. At least, not that hismother and other ladies do beadwork the world.family can remember.Art was justand porcupine quillwork. something he was always drawn to, Janviers works are also hanging withsays Jill Janvier, the artists daughter,The Dene culture informed much of reverence at the Janvier Gallery on thecurator-directorforthegallery,andJanvierswork,particularlyitsdeep Cold Lake First Nations 149B, Alberta,an artist herself. He told us stories ofappreciationofboththesimplicity 92A CCIB PUBLICATIONFall 2024'