First Nations, Métis and Inuit

The Healing Language of Alex Janvier

Alex Janvier
September 9 – November 20, 2022

Strathcona County is honored to present an exhibition entitled “The Healing Language of Alex Janvier” by world-renowned Denesuline artist, Alex Janvier, from Cold Lake First Nations, Treaty 6 Territory.

Curated in partnership with the Janvier Gallery and Gallery@501, this exhibition features paintings, sketchbook drawings, video and audio works that reflect Janvier’s experiences within Canada’s residential school system. 
 
This special exhibition primarily features paintings from the Janvier family’s private collection, and this will be the first time that many of the artworks are on display to the public. Gallery visitors will learn about Alex’s residential school journey from the traumatic loss of language, culture and family, to finding a voice through his art, and a way forward on the path towards healing and reconciliation. 
 
In collaboration with Indigital Media and Gallery@501, and with funding from Canadian Heritage, Alex and the Janvier family have created powerful video and audio works to complement the exhibit. Through sharing Alex’s impactful narratives, more light will be shed onto the history of residential schools, the lasting impacts for those who experienced them and their families, and the need for calls to action, connection and understanding. 

Visitors can also re-discover Alex’s public art pieces displayed on site in the Strathcona County Library (“Indigo Children” and “One Hour in Time”) from 2011, and the staircase mural in County Hall (“Tribute to Beaver Hills”) from 1976.

https://www.strathcona.ca/recreation-events/arts-and-culture/art-gallery-501/exhibits/