Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Atlantic Canadian Art
Canada's Atlantic provinces attract artists like kids to cupcakes. That ever-
present sea, blend of blues and greens on the horizon, bucolic quiet and
low cost of living makes the region a prime place to swipe oil paints on can-
vas or whittle an old log into something breathtaking. Native Canadians
have been taking nature's bounty from porcupine quills to ash wood, and
crafting them into beautiful daily objects for thousands of years, but today
life is a little easier and most of what's produced by artisans is for art's
sake.
The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia has the largest collections with state of the art galleries in
both Halifax and Yarmouth. Here you'll find the stars: Alex Colville, Maud Lewis, Arthur
Lismer and many more, as well as temporary shows of up and comers and renowned
artists 'from away.' But there's an incredible richness to be discovered outside the mu-
seum as well. Drive around Cape Breton and it seems that every town has a shop selling
arts and crafts, be that outrageous hats, forged iron sculptures, pottery or paintings
hanging randomly from trees in a forest. Other regions may not be so thickly dotted with
artisans but wherever you go, you'll find a plentiful array of creative folk creating beauti-
ful works. Drive slowly, ask about local artisans at visitor's centres and browse small town
galleries and craft shops. If you're looking to buy something special you'll be spoiled for
choices.
Aboriginal
Many of Canada's most ancient artistic artifacts hail from the eastern subarctic areas of
the country including the Atlantic provinces. The tribes that lived here were nomadic and
crafted elaborate head dresses with feathers, sewed patterns of beads and porcupine quills
on to clothing and wove patterns into their basketware. Art was something that beautified
practical objects or for religious purposes. You'll find displays full of these works of re-
fined design at museums large and small throughout the region.
It's been argued that art for art's sake wasn't a concept in native culture until the 20th
century. But even then, stereotypes of what aboriginal art should look like (prehistoric)
made it difficult for modern-day artists to have their works seen, appreciated or sold. Nor-
val Morriseau, an Ojibwa from Ontario, has been called the 'Grandfather of Canadian
Native Art' for his paintings that capture Ojibwa cultural and spiritual images in a strik-
ing, colorful and modern style - his work is simply stunning. Morrisseau and several other
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