Christian Chapman: Run to the Hills!
September 17 - December 17, 2023
Christian Chapman, "Wisdom" (2011), acrylic and oil on gesso paper. Indigenous Art Collection, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Photo by Lawrence Cook.
Chapman's bold, funny and subversive work will rock your world!
Christian Chapman, a renowned Anishinaabe artist from Fort William First Nation, ON, plays a pivotal role in the evolution of the Woodland style genre. His constant exploration and boundary-pushing have secured him a prominent position within the legacy of artists who build upon Norval Morrisseau’s iconic style.
In this solo exhibition, Run to the Hills!, Chapman showcases his remarkable talent, inviting viewers into a fantasy-like realm where old Anishinaabe stories are re-imagined.
Deeply rooted in the playful traditions of Anishinaabe storytelling, Chapman’s vibrant creations integrate iconic elements of popular culture with references to contemporary Anishinaabeg experiences. His work challenges mainstream narratives of Indigenous representation, offering a thought-provoking, humorous counter-narrative.
The exhibition takes its title from a print by Chapman, which powerfully honours Iron Maiden’s 1982 hit single and connects to his 2017 work, Fight For Your Life.
This song, which references historical tensions between white settlers and the Nêhiyawak (Cree) community, stands as a resounding anthem symbolizing the Indigenous pursuit of justice and the relentless fight against oppression.
Thank you! CUAG acknowledges with gratitude the many lenders whose generosity has made this exhibition possible: the Indigenous Art Collection at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, the Government of Ontario Art Collection, Archives of Ontario, Howard Adler, Barry Ace and Earl Truelove, Blake Angeconeb, Rawlson King and Linda Grussani, Bill Staubi and Bear Witness.
Curated by
Danielle Printup
Artists in the exhibition
Christian Chapman