The Lakota Art Studio and Gallery at 1020 Centre Street in Rockglen showcased the paintings, prints, cards, books and jewellery of Lakota artist, Kim Soo Goodtrack, along with several Indigenous and Saskatchewan-based artists.
鈥淚 feel grateful that the local artists in Assiniboia, Rockglen and Saskatchewan have embraced me.鈥� Goodtrack said. 鈥淭he art galleries in the city [Vancouver] didn鈥檛 embrace me, but the artists did, as well as the artist-run galleries.鈥�
Goodtrack鈥檚 art is joyful, filled with layered colours and retains playful and speculative elements.
鈥淚鈥檓 an abstract artist,鈥� Goodtrack explained. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 fit the cookie cutter idea of a Native artist.鈥澛�
Yet, Goodtrack took care to incorporate several vital symbols in her art specific to Lakota culture, such as tipis, triangles and stars.
The mythology of the Star Nation, who exist in a parallel universe and are an essential component to Lakota culture, also influenced Goodtrack鈥檚 art.
鈥淭he Star People brought us things 鈥� the sacred pipe, the Sundance and the sweat lodge,鈥� Goodtrack illuminated.
The Vault Gallery section of Goodtrack鈥檚 studio utilized a vault for a mini gallery within the studio once used as a bank.
Inside the vault, a variety of artistic styles were on display.
Kim鈥檚 private collection included a list of Canadian artists such as Lawrence Paul, Paul Wong, Henry Robertson, Norval Morrisseau and Allen Sapp.
Sapp was a distinguished Cree painter from North Battleford. Sapp鈥檚 art is renowned all over Canada for his paintings with strong narratives.
Sapp also incorporated several images of his grandmother in various paintings. Sapp鈥檚 art and personal history had been the focus of many books and documentaries.
Goodtrack鈥檚 studio and gallery also featured the brilliant and mesmerizing Lakota bead work of Lita Ferguson and Katherine Robichaud.
Saskatchewan artists on exhibit in Goodtrack鈥檚 gallery included the realistic paintings of Sandra Lamontagne (all mediums), photography by Wanda Knoss, alcohol and ink work by Joyce Anderson, wood turning by Michael Hosaluk, earrings weaved from wheat by Joy Silzer and Sandra Knoss 鈥� an acrylic on canvas prairie landscape artist.
Goodtrack closed her gallery temporarily in the spring in accordance with public health regulations with plans to reopen in early July.
Normally, Goodtrack鈥檚 studio is available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11-5 p.m. 聽
Although Goodtrack鈥檚 lived in Vancouver, she has compelling associations with First Nations history in 麻豆传媒AVwest Saskatchewan, specifically from the Wood Mountain area.
Goodtrack鈥檚 a member of the Lakota Wood Mountain reserve about 63 kilometres southwest of Assiniboia.
Her great grandmother walked to Wood Mountain with Sitting Bull, when he led his tribe across the U.S. border into Canada in November 1876.
Goodtrack鈥檚 also a children鈥檚 author and a former children鈥檚 television presenter on the APTN programs, Wakenheja and Art Zone.
Wakenheja was the first puppet show to air on APTN.
She also taught art in Vancouver to children and adults.
Goodtrack鈥檚 book, The ABC鈥檚 of our Spiritual Connection, won the Children鈥檚 Choice Award and appeared on Sesame Street.
Goodtrack described this book as collection of the spiritual ways practised by the First Nations in Canada. 鈥淭hroughout North America, First Nation鈥檚 people have many common spiritual bonds. In this book, I have shared our traditional beliefs,鈥� Goodtrack wrote in the book鈥檚 introduction. 鈥淥ur spiritual connection was shamed and denied, even outlawed, yet our sacred has survived.鈥�
For more about Kim Soo Goodtrack鈥檚 art, books, music, storytelling events and further details about her Rockglen studio, see .
