Wabanaki Modern

Wabanaki Modern | Wabanaki Kiskukewey | Wabanaki Moderne (English/Mi'kmaw/French)

Authors:

Emma Hassencahl-Perley is a Wolastoqey artist, curator, and educator from Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation).

John Leroux is manager of collections and exhibitions at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.

Emma Hassencahl-Perley na Wolastoqey l'nu lukwet, nanko'teket, aqq nuji kina'muet; tleyawit Neqotkok (Tobique First Nation).

John Leroux nekm nuji pma'toq Beaverbrook Art Gallery.

The “Micmac Indian Craftsmen” of Elsipogtog (then known as Big Cove) rose to national prominence in the early 1960s. At their peak, they were featured in print media from coast to coast, their work was included in books and exhibitions — including at Expo 67 — and their designs were featured on prints, silkscreened notecards, jewelry, tapestries, and even English porcelain.

Primarily self-taught and deeply rooted in their community, they were among the first modern Indigenous artists in Atlantic Canada. Inspired by traditional Wabanaki stories, they produced an eclectic range of handmade objects that were sophisticated, profound, and eloquent.

By 1966, the withdrawal of government support compromised the Craftsmen's resources, production soon ceased, and their work faded from memory. Now, for the first time, the story of this groundbreaking co-operative and their art is told in full. Accompanying a major exhibition at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery opening in 2022, Wabanaki Modern features essays on the history of this vibrant art workshop, archival photographs of the artisans, and stunning full-colour images of their art.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Goose Lane Editions; Multilingual edition (Oct. 18 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ French, English, Micmac
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 228 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1773102664
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1773102665
• Item weight ‏ : ‎ 13.5 kg
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 25.4 x 1.78 x 25.4 cm

Winner, Canadian Museums Association Award for Outstanding Achievement (Research) and APMA Best Atlantic Published Book Award
Longlisted, First Nation Communities READ Award
The story of an overlooked group of cultural visionaries