Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporated was one of Canada’s most important early artist alliances. A ground-breaking cultural and political entity that was wryly known as the ‘Indian Group of Seven’, its members included: Jackson Beardy (1944-1984), Eddy Cobiness (1933-1996), Alex Janvier (b. 1935), Norval Morrisseau (1932-2007), Daphne Odjig (b. 1919), Carl Ray (1942-1978) and Joseph Sanchez (b. 1948). This influential group demanded recognition as professional, contemporary artists and stimulated a new way of thinking about contemporary First Nations people, their lives and art.
The exhibition 7: Professional Native Indian Artists Inc. draws on both private and public art collections to bring together over 80 paintings and drawings from the 1970s, that crucial decade during which the seven artists were active as a group. The exhibition considers their collective artistic impact, as well as the distinctive styles and experimentation of the individual artists.
The history of Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporated signalled a new course for the exhibition and understanding of contemporary Indigenous art. The visual impact of this exhibition will reacquaint visitors with the excitement and newness of the images and styles that these seven artists produced.
Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporated was one of Canada’s most important early artist alliances. A ground-breaking cultural and political entity that was wryly known as the ‘Indian Group of Seven’, its members included: Jackson Beardy (1944-1984), Eddy Cobiness (1933-1996), Alex Janvier (b. 1935), Norval Morrisseau (1932-2007), Daphne Odjig (b. 1919), Carl Ray (1942-1978) and Joseph Sanchez (b. 1948). This influential group demanded recognition as professional, contemporary artists and stimulated a new way of thinking about contemporary First Nations people, their lives and art.
The exhibition 7: Professional Native Indian Artists Inc. draws on both private and public art collections to bring together over 80 paintings and drawings from the 1970s, that crucial decade during which the seven artists were active as a group. The exhibition considers their collective artistic impact, as well as the distinctive styles and experimentation of the individual artists.
The history of Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporated signalled a new course for the exhibition and understanding of contemporary Indigenous art. The visual impact of this exhibition will reacquaint visitors with the excitement and newness of the images and styles that these seven artists produced.
7: Professional Native Indian Artists Inc. is organized by the MacKenzie Art Gallery. This project has been made possible through a contribution from the Museums Assistance Program, Department of Canadian Heritage. The MacKenzie receives ongoing support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Saskatchewan Arts Board, SaskCulture, the City of Regina, and the University of Regina.
