Daphne Odjig (1919-2016) was a pioneering Canadian Indigenous artist, celebrated as the “Grandmother of Canadian Native Art.” Born on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, she was influenced by her artistic family, particularly her grandfather and father. After experiencing personal losses and raising her two sons, Odjig embraced her Indigenous heritage in the 1960s amid a cultural revival, participating in pow wows that deepened her connection to her Anishinaabe roots.
Throughout her career, she developed a distinctive artistic style that integrated Indigenous themes and European influences, notably from Picasso and the cubists. In 1973, she co-founded the Professional Native Indian Artists Association, promoting Indigenous art. Her work gained recognition with exhibitions, including the first major showcase of Indigenous art at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Odjig received numerous accolades, including the Order of Canada and a Governor General's Award for Visual Arts. She was the first female First Nations artist to have a solo exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada. Her legacy includes a unique visual language that spans five decades, leaving a significant cultural impact on Indigenous art in Canada.
Here are some of her notable paintings:
