Contemporary neo expressionist painter, Anishinabe/ Ojibwe, exhibitions and International public collections in Canada, United States, and France, awarded a Smithsonian
residency in 2002. Born in Serpent River First Nation, Northern Ontario, lives on the central coast of BC. Advanced Graduate in Painting 1979 from Emily Carr College of Art, Vancouver. Master of Fine Arts 1985, first in history Indigenous graduate in Fine Arts from Concordia University, Montreal, Instructor of visual art for twenty years, primarily at
Emily Carr University. Resided in France mid 80ʼs and 90ʼs bringing First Nations art to the European public. Exhibits and works often in France.
Timeline of my art history
1985 - 1995 Deconstructing Stereotypes, France paintings changing how Indigenous culture is viewed
1996 - 2000 Anishinabe Language Study, return to Canada, symbolic paintings of words that compel one to remember First Nations history, and to learn the basics of the Ojibwe language
1998 - 2001 “The Traveling Alter Native Medicine Show”, collaborative experimental travel documentation in Canada, and USA, deconstructing historical phrasing of tourist landmarks (4venues)
2001 - 2006 “Images From The Heart”, “From Manhattan to Menatay”, landscape expressionist paintings of historical and contemporary events that offer spiritual healing from cultural loss
2007- 2010 “Paintings from the Land of the Hamatsa”, a series of abstract expressionist paintings, a spiritual vision promoting the protection of the old growth rainforest on traditional land
"My work is contemporary influenced by my Indigenous lineage and modern art. My paintings are a vision of spiritual energy evolving in the space of a canvas surface transcending boundaries of what is considered Indigenous art.” The period I lived in France in the mid 80’s and 90’s I developed my neo expressionist style. The new work exhibits a breakthrough in my maturity as a painter in my 30 year profession and presents an engaging dialogue between First Nations art and contemporary art. As an Indigenous artist I travel in both worlds and follow my spiritual vision from my Anishinabe ancestors, known as “the painters of pictographs”. I am making important discoveries by developing a fusion of two styles of painting, abstract and traditional Ojibwe art.
Website with assistance from Canada Council
“Paintings from the Land of the Hamatsa”
Solo exhibition of paintings, Leighdon Gallery, Vancouver April 2010
This exhibition promotes the protection of the old growth rainforest on traditional land
Forest in Rivers Inlet acrylic on canvas 24”x 36” 2007
Old Growth Rainforest acrylic on canvas 36 x 54” 2009
Hemlock 29” x 63” In the House of Nuakawa, Big House Wuikinuxv BC
Water in Wuikinuxv acrylic on canvas 36”x 58” 2008
Winter in Wuikinuxv 24” x 36”
Leighdon Gallery Vancouver 2010
“Indigenous in Space” (L) acrylic on canvas 66” x 73” 2010
How far Indigenous people have advanced from our Reservations 2010
“The first time a writer has written extensively on my art history and paintings”
New Book publication in France, cover 'Drum and Braid', essay on my art with reproductions written in English
A Usable Past: Tradition in Native North American Arts and Literature>
Simone Pellerin editor, Press Universitaires de Bordeaux 2010
"Tradition into Abstraction: The Painted Work of Janice Toulouse", Bernadette Regal-Cellard
Salish Seas an exhibition of prominent and emerging Aboriginal artists inspired by the Salish Sea, in conjunction with an anthology. Curated by Tania Willard, includes artists Sonny Assu, Janice Toulouse, Charlene Vickers, Merrit Johnson, Kevin Mckenzie, Cease Wyss, Michelle Syliboy
Presented by The Aboriginal Writers Collective
Feb 4 - Feb 27 2011 Hrs wed - sun 12 to 6pm
Gallery Gachet 88 Cordova Street, Vancouver 604-687-2468
In the Spirit: Contemporary Northwest Native Arts Exhibit
June 16 through August 28, 2011 at the Washington State History Museum *2 paintings by Janice Toulouse are in this exhibit
This juried art exhibit showcases the work of contemporary Native American artists. Guests will see how today’s Native art connects traditional artistic heritage and contemporary forms of expression. The featured artwork was selected by a jury comprised of local experts in Native American art.
The 2011 exhibit awards include Best of Show, Honoring the Northwest, Honoring the Ancestors, Honoring Innovation, Museum's Choice, Legacy Gallery LTD Award, Artists' Choice, Pendleton Award, and People's Choice.
Washington State History Museum
1911 Pacific Ave.
Tacoma, WA
Current Exhibitions & Publication
Galerie Art Present 79 rue Quincampoix, Salon d’Ete June 11 2011.
The galerie will reopen in Sept, these paintings will be in a new show.
(near Pompidou)
Pushing Boundaries at CityScape North Vancouver June 2 - July 2 2011
In June 2011 Janice exhibited work in 3 exhibitions in 3 countries, Canada, USA, France
She attended the opening in Paris and later an artist residency near Paris.
Preview of recent work “The Massacre Painting” 54x 72 “ 2011, on crime and punishment, with a written text by the artist