Jackson Beardy

Jackson Beardy (July 24, 1944 - December 7, 1984) was an Oji-Cree Anishinaabe artist born on Garden Hill First Nation in Manitoba, Canada. As a founding member of the Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporation (PNIAI) - commonly known as the "Indian Group of Seven" - Beardy made significant contributions to the recognition of Indigenous contemporary art in Canada.

At age seven, Beardy was sent to a residential school in Portage la Prairie where he was separated from his culture and language. While this experience was difficult, it was at school where he first learned to draw and paint. His formal education continued at Technical Vocational High School in Winnipeg (1963-64), followed by studies at the University of Manitoba (1966). During his early life, Beardy had lived with his grandmother, who taught him Cree legends and traditions that would later inform his artistic vision.

Beardy's artistic career began with his first solo exhibition at the University of Winnipeg in 1965. His work gained prominence when he was commissioned to create art for Canada's centennial in 1967 and served as a consultant for the "Canadian Indian Pavilion" at Expo 67. In 1972, he participated in the groundbreaking exhibition "Treaty Numbers 23, 287, 1171" at the Winnipeg Art Gallery alongside Alex Janvier and Daphne Odjig. This led to the formation of the PNIAI in 1973, which worked to promote Indigenous art based on artistic merit rather than anthropological value.

As part of the Woodland School of Indigenous Art, Beardy developed a distinctive style characterized by precise black outlines with areas of solid color. His work often depicted figures from Ojibwe and Cree oral traditions and explored the relationship between humans and nature. He worked on various supports including canvas, birch bark, and beaver skins. From 1982 to 1983, Beardy served as senior arts advisor for the Federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, where he developed the "Indian Fine Arts Guide" for the acquisition of Indigenous art.

Throughout his career, Beardy advocated for Indigenous artists and worked to overcome discrimination. His art has been displayed in museums and institutions both in Canada and internationally. In 1984, Beardy was commissioned to paint murals depicting "Peace and Harmony" in Winnipeg, but died before completing the project. The murals were finished posthumously by students from R.B. Russell Vocational High School and unveiled in 1985.