They Are Watching – Elijah Wells
They Are Watching – Elijah Wells
This series of three paintings “Portals Of My Ancestors” emerged from a residency at the Ledge Gallery in Calgary. I was investigating my Blackfoot visual language and looking at transgender representation in our traditional stories. I attended a lecture with Shawn Singer and learned more about what we called ourselves and our community and sacred roles. I learned of Akaowotakii and the importance of our presence in stories. The circle painting “Apanii” is a reminder to all of us human beings that we are special and important to the Creator no matter who we are.
The purpose behind these three paintings is to say that we have been a part of these stories for a long time. These beings (Morningstar) are always watching over us. The three paintings overlook a hide scroll that has gold leaf Blackfoot syllabics written on it. They are watching over the sacred rules that are held within our language and cultural laws. In our traditions, transgender people have always been accepted and respected.
These symbols appear as portals into the other-world, points of access into deeper Blackfoot knowledge. I interpreted them as how I would see these portals alive, fluid, and interacting with our world.
Elijah Wells is a Kainai animation artist and visual artist. His artistic focus in the past five years has been in his own language revitalization, the historic relationship with the buffalo, and how two-spirit people have challenges accessing culture. His founding philosophies in artistic approach are the representation of Blackfoot/Kainai cultural histories of 3rd and 4th gender persons and how we reclaim our presence. He started in animation through Quickdraw programming and now focuses on painting and collage as his main mediums. He is inspired by traditional Blackfoot stories and his experience on the land. He has work in the Pitt Rivers Museum in their permanent collection and has participated in various residencies at the Banff Center, Art Commons and most recently in Smithers BC. He is also co-director of Wild Mint Arts, a Calgary-based Indigenous performing arts company.
Location:Casa - Saokitapi Gallery
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