Alex Janvier was a First Nations Canadian painter whose merging of Indigenous influences and modern art made him one of Canada’s most prized artists.
- Died: July 10, 2024 (Who else died on July 10?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 89.
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Alex Janvier’s legacy
Born in Alberta on the Le Goff Reserve, Cold Lake First Nations, Alex Janvier discovered his love of art as a child attending Blue Quills Indian Residential School. Years later, drawing from both his Dene Suline and Saulteaux heritage, as well as the modern art he studied at Alberta College of Art and Design, Janvier developed a unique merging of both that quickly won him accolades for his use of vibrant colors and fluid lines.
By the 1960s, Janvier had established himself as a key figure in Canadian art. In 1966, he created 80 paintings for the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. In 1973, he co-founded the Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporation (PNIAI), also known as the Indian Group of Seven, which has played a crucial role in advocating for the recognition of Indigenous artists in Canada.
Janvier was known for his acrylic paintings, watercolors, and murals, which often incorporated Dene iconography and symbolism. Notable works of his include “Morning Star,” a mural located in the dome of the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec; “Untitled,” a 1966 piece that is part of the National Gallery of Canada’s collection; and “Iron Foot Place,” a huge mosaic at Edmonton’s Rogers Place.
Janvier’s accolades over decades include a Centennial Medal for outstanding service to the people and province of Alberta, a Tribal Chiefs Institute Lifetime Achievement Award, Cold Lake First Nations Lifetime Achievement Award, and induction into the Alberta Order of Excellence, among many others.
Tributes to Alex Janvier
Full obituary: Edmonton Journal
