ExhibitionsChristian Chapman: Run to the Hills!
September 17 - December 10, 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, an Anishinaabe artist from Fort William First Nation, ON, plays a pivotal role in the evolution of the Woodland style genre, constantly pushing its boundaries. In this solo exhibition, Run to the Hills!, Chapman showcases his remarkable talent and offers a glimpse into the imaginative and vivid landscape he creates.
Deeply rooted in the playful traditions of Anishinaabe storytelling, Chapman’s vibrant creations seamlessly blend iconic elements of popular culture with references to contemporary Anishinaabeg experiences. Through his art, he challenges and subverts prevailing narratives of Indigenous representation in mainstream culture, offering a thought-provoking and amusing counter-narrative that is critical and imbued with humour.
The exhibition takes its title from a print by Chapman, which not only pays powerful tribute to Iron Maiden’s 1982 hit single but also points to his 2017 work, Fight For Your Life. This song, which references historical tensions between white settlers and the Nêhiyawak (Cree) community, is a resounding anthem that symbolizes 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
