George Littlechild

George Littlechild is Plains Cree, born in Alberta, Canada. His extensive body of art is noted for its bold colours and playful images, belying the serious undertones of his work. Littlechild sees himself as an Artist who happens to be First Nations. His sweeping collages of mixed media offer us insight into the human spirit, the strong connection to our ancestors, the ways in which we view our world ... and how that view needs to change.

George Littlechild received a diploma in art and design form Red Deer College in 1984, and rose to commercial success after obtaining a B.F.A. from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax in 1988. Raised in foster homes separated from his Cree community, his mixed-media paintings record his personal and family history as well as his reclamation and reconnection with his ancestral culture. Littlechild believes colours possess spiritual cleansing and purifying powers, and is known for his finesse as a colourist as well as his collaging of haunting vintage photographs. He was presented a scholarship from the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Society, and in 1996, was honoured with the British Columbia Cultural Services award.