Jubilee Lower Lobby
Beadwork Exhibition Title: Manitohkewin // Sacred Power Made Visible
Artist: Sharon Rose Kootenay
Digital Photography Exhibition Title: Ni Piyesiw // My Thunderbird
Artists: Kootenay/Symington
“Incorporated throughout my artistic practice, the Thunderbirds represent a kinship circle of seekers, those who are destined to meet – either on this earthly plane, in the dream world, or in the spiritual realm.
As selected, these geometric designs tell a deeper story of the unseen world, contemporary realities, and societal and environmental influences.
Through design, and cobalt blue, I acknowledge and show gratitude to the creator, moments of synchronicity, and to the beauty of the universe. The greatest gift of creating art is in the recognition and expression of the sacred – revealed to ourselves, and through exhibition - to others.
From within this domestic realm, I use fine craft to celebrate relationships, to articulate memories and perspectives, and as a catalyst to work through my thoughts and emotions. As an Indigenous artist, it is my deepest honour to create heirloom and ceremonial pieces. As a visual artist, I believe the transmission of authentic cultural perspectives can be achieved through craft, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding between peoples."
Artist Biography
A life-long maker of traditional art forms, Sharon Rose Kootenay finds her inspiration in the prairie skies and landscapes she calls home.
Through honoring tradition and expressing a deep connection to the land, Sharon Rose’s color-filled pieces tell a story of cultural identity and place. Utilizing hide, beads, thread and needle, she creates fine craft that illustrates regional history, significant family events, and personal perspectives.
“As a Métis-Cree fine craft artist, the beadwork articles I create have roots in traditional Native women’s artistic practice, and is inspired by the exquisite Northern designs created by my Grandmother Flora, her sisters, and the women artists of their time. I consider my contributions to be part of a visual continuum of the women of my matrilineal line -- often referencing traditional teachings, the feminine worldview, and the transmission of cultural lifeways.
A member of the Alberta Craft Council, Sharon Rose has participated in numerous exhibitions and cultural projects throughout Alberta. In 2021, Sharon Rose was the recipient of the Alberta Craft Council’s Biennial Craft Excellence Award, and along with her collaborator Jason Symington, shortlisted for the 2021 Anne and Eldon Foote Visual Arts Award. This April, Sharon Rose was selected as the Alberta Artist in Residence / Arts Ambassador, for 2023-2024.