Blake Debassige

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Blake Debassige was a Native Canadian artist of the M'Chigeeng First Nation, [1] born at West Bay on Manitoulin Island in Ontario on June 22, 1956, passed June 13, 2022. [2] A leading member of the "second generation" of Ojibwa artists influenced by Norval Morrisseau, Debassige has broadened the stylistic and thematic range of this group. Debassige's paintings and graphics frequently investigate traditional Anishabek teachings about the nature of cosmic order, the cycles of the seasons, the interdependence of animal, plant and human life and the common principles at work in the world's great spiritual systems. [3] He frequently relates these themes to highly contemporary problems such as the destruction of the environment, the alienation of native youth and family dysfunction. [4]

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Debassige married the Cree painter Shirley CheeChoo in 1978.

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Group exhibitions

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References

  1. Ojibwe Cultural Foundation Permanent Collection
  2. Native Art in Canada
  3. Phillips, Ruth B. (2013-12-13). "Blake Randolph Debassige | The Canadian Encyclopedia". thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  4. the Canadian Encyclopedia
  5. Blake Debassige - Canadian Heritage Information Network
  6. Angeconeb, Ahmoo; Debassige, Blake; Thomas, Roy; Nicks, Trudy; Royal Ontario Museum (1996). The art of the Anishnawbek: three perspectives. Toronto, Ont.: Royal Ontario Museum. ISBN   978-0-88854-418-6. OCLC   976886168.
  7. Debassige, Blake; Hogbin, Stephen; Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery; Ojibway Cultural Foundation (1991). Political landscapes # two: sacred and secular sites : an exhibition of work by thirteen artists from two communities. Owen Sound, Ont.: Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery. ISBN   978-0-929021-10-2. OCLC   59733778.
  8. Podedworny, Carol; Thunder Bay Art Gallery; Indian Art Centre (Canada); Origins Program (Minneapolis, Minn.) (1989). Woodlands: contemporary art of the Anishnabe. Thunder Bay, Ont.; [Hull, Quebec]; Minneapolis, Minn.: Thunder Bay Art Gallery ; Indian Art Centre of the Dept. of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada ; Origins Program. ISBN   978-0-920539-27-9. OCLC   1032686755.
  9. Cinader, Bernhard; Thunder Bay Art Gallery (1987). Manitoulin Island: the third layer. Thunder Bay, Ont.: Thunder Bay Art Gallery. ISBN   978-0-920539-19-4. OCLC   17161978.
  10. Blake Debassige - Canadian Heritage Information Network
  11. Ojibwe Cultural Foundation (1980). Anishnabe mee-kun: a circulating exhibition of art by Anishnabe artists of the Manitoulin Island area. OCLC   864695477.
  12. "Legends: Norval Morrisseau and Anishinabek "Woodland School" Artists". Archived from the original on 2015-09-07. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
  13. Ojibwe Cultural Foundation Permanent Collection