Blood Tribe woman wins Distinguished Artist Award

“I would say the environment is an extension of myself because it’s always been there, from the time I was a child. It was one of the first things that I saw and smelled. I consider it a part of me. The landscape is an extension of the body because we’re dependent on it, and to flip that, the landscape is dependent on us”

She has worked as an artist for over 30 years and studied at the Alberta University for the Arts in Calgary.

HeavyShield creates three-dimensional art and sculptures. Recent installations incorporate photography and delicately constructed paper figures.

Arlene Storm, chair of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Foundation, says, in addition to HeavyShield, two people from Calgary also won the Distinguished Artist Award – Cheryl Foggo and Vicki Adams Willis.

“Albertans can be proud of these three whose contributions have pushed the boundaries of art to reflect Indigenous identity and expression; present a more inclusive and diverse view of Alberta’s history; and define the province as a beacon for jazz dance artists. Each has contributed immeasurably to the development of the province’s artists, arts communities and expanding art disciplines.”

Recipients of this award get a handcrafted medal, $30,000, and a two-week residency at the Banff Centre’s Leighton Artist Studios.

A small sampling of HeavyShield’s work can be seen below.

Remai Modern – “III” (Photo by Blaine Campbell)

Artwork on display at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery in 2020. (Photo by Blaine Campbell)

by David Opinko

Blood Tribe woman wins Distinguished Artist Award

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