Past Present Future – Kalum Teke Dan
Past Present Future – Kalum Teke Dan
Kalum Teke Dan’s ancestry is of the Blood Tribe in southern Alberta. It is his connection to his traditional, spiritual, and cultural background that has inspired his body of work. He grew up in Calgary with his mom Joanne Dan, who has been supportive throughout his career that began in his teens. Kalum is primarily self-taught, developing his skills through observations, practice, and dedication to his craft. He works in oil, acrylic, and watercolour, choosing themes that reflect his unique perceptions of his spirituality and being indigenous in modern-day society. His designs represent his conceptualizations of the subjects he is painting, whether it is an individual, a group, animals, or a compilation.
He has participated in large scale events throughout the years including showcasing at the Vancouver Community College during the 2010 winter Olympics, and the Calgary Stampede at the Western Oasis Showcase since 2016. His work is in the personal collection of several Canadian Premiers, international leaders and many of Canada’s leading corporations and educational institutions.
A professional artist for over 20 years, Kalum’s work can be found in galleries across Canada, the United States and Europe.
He has enjoyed sharing his work at Indigenous conferences, pow wows, and events as well as participating in many residencies. An avid attendee of Powwows and other traditional ceremonies, he bases his portraits on real people who portray the strength and the pride of the people as a whole. As with the animals he paints, it is the spirit he manages to capture on the canvas.
Kalum was co-owner and curator of Vision Quest Art Gallery from 2005 – 2007. He was an invited artist to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Art Festival and won first prize in the Peace Hills Trust Aboriginal Art competition in 2015 with his acrylic on canvas painting titled Journey Home. Kalum has been invited to shows in Treaty 6 territory for over 15 years including K-Days, IAM Market and much more. In 2022, Kalum completed a commission for K-Days for their stage backdrop for the Indigenous experience and to make the logo for K-Days.
Kalum’s artwork has been featured in documentaries, in colouring books, art books, calendars, greeting cards, coffee mugs, tshirts, hoodies, stickers and much more. He has also made logos for countless organizations including the logo for the Pokaiks the Children Commemorative Orange Shirt Day Walk which has taken place in Calgary every year since 2019.
Kalum has completed commissioned large murals for the Calgary City Hall, Calgary Downtown Library, Calgary City Police, Calgary Stampede, Calgary Legal Guidance, John Howard Society, University of Calgary, Norquest College, the Beltline Urban Mural Project, St. John XXIII School, Beeline Bike Park, Blood Tribe Wellness Centre, Banff Trail Community Association, Closer to Home, United Way, Jack James High School, PBA and many others.
Date:September 6th, 2025 - October 24th, 2025
Location:Casa - Saokitapi Gallery
Casa Program Guide
The Casa Program Guide is produced three times a year; Winter, Spring/Summer and Fall. Inside the guide find listings for the upcoming class and workshop schedule, upcoming exhibitions at The Gallery, information about artists in residence and seasonal events in the building. Program guides are free. Pick-up guides at Casa or at facilities throughout the city.