Olivia Whetung facts for kids

Olivia Whetung is a talented artist, printmaker, and writer. She is a member of the Curve Lake First Nation and a citizen of the Nishnaabeg Nation.

Olivia's Education Journey

Olivia Whetung studied art at Algoma University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She also studied Anishinaabemowin, which is the Anishinaabe language. Later, she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of British Columbia.

Exploring Olivia Whetung's Art and Exhibitions

Olivia Whetung is known for her unique art, which often combines printmaking, digital art, and beadwork. She also uses special shapes called topographic forms, which are like maps of land. Through her art, Olivia talks about important topics such as Indigenous land rights, how communities can grow their own food (food sovereignty), sharing knowledge, language, and taking care of the environment.

Olivia has worked with another artist named Jeneen Frei Njootli on different projects. Olivia even wrote a piece called Fugitive Dust for Jeneen Frei Njootli's art show in 2018. In 2017, Olivia had her own art show called tibewh at Artspace in Peterborough, Ontario.

Soundings: A Traveling Art Show

Olivia Whetung's art has been part of a special traveling art show called Soundings: An Exhibition in Five Parts. This show was put together by Candice Hopkins and Dylan Robinson. The exhibition explored how art can help us think about and challenge old ideas, especially those related to Indigenous cultures. The Soundings show changed and grew as it moved to different places, adding new artists and artworks. It was shown in several galleries, including the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery and the Kamloops Art Gallery.

Sugarbush Shrapnel: Connecting with Nature

From 2019 to 2020, Olivia Whetung had a solo art show called Sugarbush Shrapnel at the Contemporary Art Gallery in Vancouver, British Columbia. In this exhibition, Olivia explored her deep connection to the natural world around her home on Chemong Lake, Ontario. She focused on how important it is for communities to control their own food sources and how delicate the balance of nature is, especially with climate change and environmental damage happening today. This exhibition later traveled to the Campbell River Art Gallery.

Beads, they’re sewn so tight: A Group Show

Olivia Whetung's work was also featured in a group art show called Beads, they’re sewn so tight. This exhibition was organized by artist Lisa Myers and was shown at the Textile Museum of Canada and the Thunder Bay Art Gallery in September 2019.

Awards and Recognition

Olivia Whetung has received important awards for her art.

In 2020, she won the Emerging Artist Laureate Award from the Ontario Arts Council. This award celebrates new Indigenous artists and leaders in Ontario who are making a big difference in the arts.

In 2018, Olivia also received the John Hartman Award from the MacLaren Art Centre in Barrie, Ontario.