Robert Boyer (artist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Boyer
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Born | July 20, 1948 |
Died | August 30, 2004 | (aged 56)
Nationality | Métis Cree Canadian |
Known for | artist, academic |
Robert Boyer (born July 20, 1948 – died August 30, 2004) was a talented Canadian artist and university teacher. He was Métis and Cree, known for his powerful and colorful abstract paintings. These paintings often shared important messages.
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Robert Boyer's Life and Art
Robert Boyer grew up in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He studied at the University of Saskatchewan and earned a teaching degree in 1971. In 1973, he became part of the art community in Saskatchewan.
Early Career and Teaching
Boyer worked at the Norman MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina. He helped create art programs for the community. Later, he became a professor at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC). This college is now called the First Nations University of Canada. He taught there until 1997 and even led the Department of Indian Fine Arts.
How Boyer's Art Style Changed
Boyer's first paintings used materials like acrylic paints and canvas. His earliest works looked very realistic. But soon, he started to create art in an abstract style. This means his paintings showed feelings and ideas rather than exact pictures.
One of his first abstract works was "Horses Can Fly, Too." It showed a horse-like shape flying through the sky.
The Famous Blanket Paintings
Boyer is most famous for his large, geometric paintings on felt blankets. He made many of these in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This idea came to him after a trip to China and Japan. He saw paintings on silk and cloth there. This made him realize that art didn't always have to be on a stretched canvas.
Boyer used thick oil paints and rough brush strokes on these blankets. The shapes and patterns in his blanket paintings came from traditional designs. These designs were used by Siouan and Cree groups in Western Canada. At first, he used traditional colors. Later, some of his blanket paintings featured softer, pastel colors.
'Blanket Statements' and Their Meaning
Initially, Boyer's art talked about the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples. But later, he focused on sharing the beauty and meaning of Indigenous culture. He called all these works his 'Blanket Statements'. Many of his 'Blanket Period' pieces are now in famous galleries. These include the National Gallery of Canada and the Norman MacKenzie Gallery.
Boyer gave his paintings unique and thoughtful titles. These titles often came to him during important moments, like after traditional sweat lodge ceremonies.
Influences and Mentorship
Boyer was clearly inspired by Indigenous art traditions. He also learned from other artists in Saskatchewan. These included Ted Godwin and Art McKay. As a professor and elder, Boyer helped many young artists. He guided both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
Robert Boyer passed away in 2004 while participating in a powwow dance.
Boyer's Murals in Public Places
Robert Boyer created several large murals that people can still see today.
Murals at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum
Boyer painted big murals in the First Nations Gallery of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. One large mural shows a winter camp scene. It is part of the "Seasonal Round" display in the gallery.
The Carousel of Life Mural
One of Boyer's biggest artworks is the Carousel of Life mural. It is painted on the outside wall of a building in the Cathedral district of Regina. This mural shows four horses framed by one of Boyer's signature blankets. The Cathedral Area Community Association asked him to paint it in 1996. It was part of their yearly arts festival.
In 2011, there was a discussion about the future of this mural. The building it was on faced possible changes. Many people in Regina cared deeply about saving this important artwork.
Selected Major Exhibitions
Robert Boyer's art was shown in many important exhibitions. Here are some of them:
- Horses Fly Too, Norman MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, 1984.
- Bob Boyer: A Blanket Statement organized by the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver, 1988.
- In the Shadow of the Sun, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Ottawa, 1988.
- Shades of Difference: The Art of Bob Boyer, Edmonton Art Gallery, Edmonton, 1991.
- Indigena, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Ottawa, 1992.
Honours
- Royal Canadian Academy of Arts