Judy Chartrand facts for kids

Judy Chartrand (born in 1959) is a talented Cree artist from Manitoba, Canada. She grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia. Judy's art often talks about important topics like postcolonialism (how countries deal with the effects of being ruled by others), Indigenous feminism (the unique experiences of Indigenous women), and fairness in society. She uses different art forms like ceramics (pottery), found objects, old photos, and traditional Indigenous skills like beadwork and quillwork.

Life and Artworks

Judy Chartrand taught herself how to make pottery. She was first inspired by Maria Martinez, a famous potter from the Pueblo San Ildefonso. Judy learned from Maria's videos.

Her early artworks were about her own life. They showed the differences between Indigenous and European cultures in Vancouver. When she was younger, she visited the Vancouver Museum. This helped her learn about the designs and paintings on ceramics.

Mimbres Designs in Her Art

One important design Judy uses in her art comes from the ancient Mimbres people. They made bowls with special patterns. Judy has used these Mimbres designs many times. She has made her own versions of old Mimbres pots. She also used these designs in public art, like a building called Olivia Skye Public Housing. This building has pictures of women in the Mimbres style.

Important Art Series

Judy's art series called "If This is What You Call, ‘Being Civilized’, I'd rather go back to Being a ‘Savage’" is a new take on the Mimbres pots. She keeps the bowl shape but adds her own personal designs. You can find these artworks in the private collection of art collector Bob Rennie and at the Surrey Art Gallery.

Her artworks are also part of collections at several museums. These include the Glenbow Museum, the AMOCA, the Gardiner Museum, the Museum of Anthropology, the Crocker Art Museum, and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. Her work has also been featured in books about arts and crafts.

Education and Learning

Judy Chartrand first studied Fine Arts at Langara College. Then, she was accepted into the Emily Carr University of Art and Design, where she earned her BFA degree in 1998. She continued her studies and completed her master's degree in Fine Arts in Ceramics at the University of Regina in 2003.

Art Exhibitions

Judy Chartrand's art has been shown in many exhibitions. Here are some of them:

• Playing With Fire, Vancouver, BC: Museum of Anthropology, 2019
• the poets have always preceded, North Vancouver, BC: Griffin Art Projects, 2019
• Bad Stitch: Audie Murray, Judy Chartrand, and Jeneen Frei Njootli Vancouver, BC: Macaulay & Co. Fine Art, 2018
• What a Wonderful World, Vancouver, BC: Bill Reid Gallery 2016-17
• Métis Soup, Vancouver, BC: Macaulay & Co. Fine Art, 2016
• Judy Chartrand 1999–2013, Saskatoon, SK: AKA Artist Run, 2013
• Malaysia-Canada Indigenous Communities Applied Arts Exhibition, Vancouver, BC: Pendulum Gallery, 2012
• Lost & Found: Haruko Okano, Judy Chartrand, and Wayde Compton Vancouver, BC: Access Gallery, 2006