The art of Alex Janvier : a blend of Euroamerican and North American Indian art traditions
Date
1988
Authors
Swallow, Derek Robert
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Abstract
The art of the Chipewyan Indian, Alex Janvier, bridges the Euroamerican and North American Indian art traditions. In order to determine the precise influence of each tradition, the primary focus of this thesis is an analysis of both Janvier's role as an artist and also how his art compares in style, and function to modern Euroamerican and Chipewyan art. The specific Indian and Euroamerican artists, art instructors, and styles which helped mold Janvier's style are examined. In addition, the Eurocanadian influences which modified the art and culture of the Chipewyan, helping set the stage for the creation of Janvier's art, are reviewed.
Janvier' s art amalgamates the Indian and the Euroamerican traditions, for he has lived, worked, and has been educated on Indian reservations as well as in the towns and cities of Canada. The Indian influence is manifest mostly through his art style which is similar to Indian beadwork in terms of compositions and forms. Janvier also includes within his art elements reminiscent of those contained in birch bark container decoration. Like Chipewyan beadworkers, of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Janvier's style changed little through most of his career.
However, his mainly Eurocanadian education and art training had a major impact on his art. Janvier approached art-making from a modern Euroamerican perspective and his art style was partly influenced by the forms and compositions of the modern art masters Kandinsky, Klee, and Miro. He assumed the role of the "anti-establishment" artist and like many Euroamerican artists his work focuses on personal experiences, ecological themes and other modern political and social issues.