Swimming: Illustrations of waterways and bodies of water found in the Grey/Bruce Area
Niizhokwe (Shaelynn Recollet)

Atelier Ludmila Gallery
129 1/2 Hunter St. W. 2nd Floor Peterborough ON

Opening Friday March 4, 6-10pm
Saturday March 5 to Sunday March 6 2022
please note:
Artworks are available by e-transfer / cash only at this time

A fundraiser for the Bagida’waad Alliance, an Indigenous Water Protector group led by the Chippewas of Nawash. ALL PROCEEDS from the sale of these artworks will be directed to this not-for-profit organization. For more information on the group’s work, please visit www.bagidawaad.ca
TO DONATE DIRECTLY via e-transfer to bagidawaaddonate@gmail.com.

Living on an island since birth, the appreciation for and the acknowledgment of nbi is constant. 

In childhood, I can remember when we spent more time swimming in the lake than we did out in the bush. Staying out well-past the point our fingers first pruned and only coming in for food, rest, and the occasional storm. A begrudging break from the peace felt while floating on the surface and the thrill of feeling limitless and strong by the lightweightedness of your mind, body, and spirit that the water brought. I can remember standing in the creek as we fill bottles with water to cool ourselves and quench our thirst. Fishin’ in that same creek when the trout come up to spawn in the spring. Memories of riding the Chi-Cheemaun for transport or just for fun, of running around in the rain as we embrace the thunderers, of sitting in a canoe on Lake Huron at night and being wrapped in a blanket of darkness from above and below with the exception of the dim glow from the horizon and the stars. Plenty of memories and dreams that are important stay with me because they took place in or around water. 

The places illustrated for this album are dear to me in their own way. Water that is different and yet the same as home.

These images drawn in graphite came straight from the memories of my time spent there — in solitude or in the company of loved ones. In times of deep reflection I found myself most calm at the water, in a comfort I’d known only on the island before then. As much as play and joy in the water as kids was an acknowledgment to the gift of water and an appreciation for all it gives, so are the quiet moments we allow ourselves to have while out at the lake or by the river. Gratitude and respect is needed for nbi. Now and every day.

Niizhokwe

Artist bio follows the images below

Graphite on paper
20″ x 17″ framed by Peer Christensen
$250 each

Artist Bio and Statement

Niizhokwe (Shaelynn Recollet) is an Anishinaabe (Ojibwe/Odawa) visual artist and clay worker from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Manitoulin Island, Ontario. 

She is a self-taught artist and painter through years of experimenting and practice with encouragement and guidance from her family. She has been under the mentorship of Anishinaabe clay worker, David Migwans since 2019. Influenced strongly by dreams, visions, personal memories, family stories and passed-on knowledge; as well as maintaining connection to the land; her continuous interest and learning of traditional art practices such as Anishinaabe pottery, quill and birch bark work, along with nurturing a unique style of creating, have provided Shaelynn with a deeper living connection to the land through the labor of harvesting and processing these materials. 

As a painter, Shaelynn creates an emotional narrative through the exploring of organic abstract forms, line work, and colour to develop and explore the ever-changing and intertwining themes of connection to self, land, spirit, and community. With these landscape illustrations Shaelynn hopes to establish a connection with her memories and with each place and specific time spent by the water which had brought her so much comfort and healing.