Black Bear; Running Horses; Mountain Sheep; Sea Otter; Set of four 50/150
24 x 21 in (61 x 53.3 cm) including frame
each inscribed with artist’s name, title, numbered 50/150 and dated 1974 in the lower margin; framed
Benjamin Chee Chee
Benjamin Chee Chee was a Canadian artist of Ojibwe descent born Kenneth Thomas Chee Chee in Temagami, Ontario. His father died when he was two months old, and he was separated from his mother during childhood, spending years searching for her before their eventual reunion. This difficult early life included time in foster care and reform institutions, experiences that marked his personal development.
Chee Chee moved to Montreal in 1965, where he developed his artistic practice while working various jobs. He was largely self-taught as an artist and drew inspiration from the success of Norval Morrisseau, founder of the Woodland School of Art. In 1973, he relocated to Ottawa and held his first exhibition at the University of Ottawa that same year. His work gained recognition quickly as part of the second generation of Woodland School painters.
Chee Chee developed a distinctive minimalist style characterized by clear, graceful lines and limited color palettes, typically depicting birds and animals in motion. His paintings often featured geese and other wildlife rendered in simple forms against neutral backgrounds, using colors sparingly for maximum effect. Unlike many of his contemporaries in the Woodland School, he rejected symbolic interpretations of his work, describing the animals in his paintings as "creatures of the present" rather than spiritual or mythological symbols.
The artist insisted on being identified specifically as an Ojibway artist rather than being categorized under the broader term "Indian artist." His approach to Indigenous art was more aligned with modern abstract art than traditional narrative styles, setting him apart from other Woodland School artists who followed Morrisseau's mythological approach. Chee Chee's simplified forms translated well to printmaking, and he produced limited edition silkscreens based on his original acrylic paintings.
After achieving success and reuniting with his mother, Chee Chee died by suicide in an Ottawa jail on March 11, 1977, at age 32. His death occurred just as his career was gaining national prominence, leaving behind a relatively small but influential body of work. He was buried in Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa, and his work has been exhibited posthumously throughout Canada, including major retrospectives at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery in 1983 and 1991.
Canadian Fine Art Auction
June 12 - June 26, 2025
212 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg MB
(204) 255-5690
mayberryfineart.com
[email protected]
Contact us to make an appointment to preview this item or to sell similar works.
|
Bidding Range
|
Increment
|
|---|---|
| $0.00 - $50.00 | $1.00 |
| $50.00 - $100.00 | $5.00 |
| $100.00 - $500.00 | $10.00 |
| $500.00 - $1,000.00 | $25.00 |
| $1,000.00 - $5,000.00 | $50.00 |
| $5,000.00 - $10,000.00 | $100.00 |
| $10,000.00 - $20,000.00 | $200.00 |
| $20,000.00 - $50,000.00 | $500.00 |
| $50,000.00 - $100,000.00 | $1,000.00 |
| $100,000.00+ | $5,000.00 |
Login or register a BidLots.com account to participate in any auction. Track specific lots and artists with real-time notifications on all bidding activity.
Bidding approval requires three simple steps:
1. Create a Bid Lots account
2. Confirm your email address
3. Create a valid billing profile
Bid Lots and/or the auctioneer may choose to revoke your bidding privileges if your account is not in good standing or your activity is in conflict with our standard terms and conditions of sale.
The buyer’s premium is an additional percentage charged to the winning bidder. The buyer’s premiums may vary from auction to auction, typically ranging from 10% to 20%. Buyer’s premiums will be displayed on detailed lot listings and paddle registration forms.
Bidding begins at the reserve price and advances at set increments based on the bidding range. The specific bidding increments may vary from auction to auction, however the next bid and subsequent increments will always be clearly defined on detailed lot listings. Maximum Bids and Single Bids can only be placed within the pre-defined bidding increments ensuring that no two bidders can place identical bids on an item. View individual lot detail pages to see a complete range of bidding increments for that item.
Requests to cancel a single bid are at the sole descretion of the auctioneer. Maximum bids can be increased but cannot be decreased unless premitted by the auctioneer. Requests to cancel a bid or to alter a maximum bid will be denied if the specific lot is scheduled to close in less than 24 hours or if the lot has significant interest or activity.
To request that a bid be cancelled or to change a maximum bid use the "Ask a question" button on the detailed lot listing.
You will receive an email notification when you have successfully won an auction. You will also see the item listed on your "Bidding Results" page and if you are logged into the site you will see a highlighted message on the auction catalogue pages and auction listings.
Shipping requirements may vary on different items depending on location and size or weight of an item. When registering for a specific auction you will be provided options to clarify your preferred shipping instructions. The auctioneer will also review and provide specific shipping quotes or options following the close of an auction. If you have specific shipping requirements or are unsure of the shipping constraints on a specific item please contact the auctioneer prior to bidding.
Following the close of an auction the auctioneer will provide a detailed invoice for all items you have won. They may contact you before a final invoice is prepared to confirm or review specific shipping instructions. Payment is due once a final invoice is provided and can be submitted online by credit card, or made by EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer), bank draft or international wire transfer. Any outstanding balance will be automatically charged to your registered credit card 5 days following the close of an auction.