Ojibwe Inabandamowin

(Ojibwe Dreams)

Drawings by William Wilson

January 15 – May 18, 2008

Gallery talk and opening reception with the artist
Saturday, February 9, 2–4pm

The Tweed Museum of Art is pleased to announce the first solo exhibition in the northern United States, featuring the work of Ojibwe artist William Wilson. Born and raised near Lake Nipigon, Ontario, Canada, Wilson is a talented visual artist who is also a maker of traditional Ojibwe beadwork, baskets, cradleboards, snowshoes, moccasins, and pipes. His work is inspired by the traditional ways in which he was raised, where winter camp, snowshoeing, trapping, fishing, moose hunting and berry picking were a part of everyday survival, and Ojibwe was the language spoken. Today, Wilson lives with his wife, the physicist and artist Annette Lee, along with two dogs and three horses, on a century-old farm in Missouri’s Ozark foothills.

Titled Ojibwe Inabandamowin (Ojibwe Dreams), the exhibition presents forty drawings created by the artist over the past year. Wilson creates in the Woodlands style, known for its bright colors, outlined forms of animals and spirit beings, and narratives of traditional Anishinabe lifeways. Another defining feature of Wilson’s drawings, and of the Woodlands style in general, is the depiction of life forms in X-ray fashion. In concept, the depiction of both an inner spirit and an outer form, allows the viewer to see the spirit inside what is drawn by the artist, and also allows the spirits to see us looking. Much of Wilson’s art is inspired by dreams, visions, and by stories passed down by his Ojibwe elders. With their strong connection to the spirit world of Anishinabe tradition, William Wilson’s drawings often inspire a deeper appreciation for a Native American world-view where all forms of creation are connected, and have a quality of spirit about them.

The Tweed Museum of Art was able to acquire a group of Wilson’s drawings in 2007, and is pleased to introduce regional audiences to his art. His drawings will be available for sale through the Tweed Museum Store. The public is cordially invited to a free gallery talk by the artist, followed by a reception celebrating the exhibition, on Saturday, February 9, 2:00–4:00pm.


Ojibwe Inabandamowin (Ojibwe Dreams) Drawings by William Wilson January 15 – May 18, 2008 Gallery talk and opening reception with the artist Saturday, February 9, 2–4pm The Tweed Museum of Art is pleased to announce the first solo exhibition in the northern United States, featuring the work of Ojibwe artist William Wilson. Born and raised near Lake Nipigon, Ontario, Canada, Wilson is a talented visual artist who is also a maker of traditional Ojibwe beadwork, baskets, cradleboards, snowshoes, moccasins, and pipes. His work is inspired by the traditional ways in which he was raised, where winter camp, snowshoeing, trapping, fishing, moose hunting and berry picking were a part of everyday survival, and Ojibwe was the language spoken. Today, Wilson lives with his wife, the physicist and artist Annette Lee, along with two dogs and three horses, on a century-old farm in Missouri’s Ozark foothills. Titled Ojibwe Inabandamowin (Ojibwe Dreams), the exhibition presents forty drawings created by the artist over the past year. Wilson creates in the Woodlands style, known for its bright colors, outlined forms of animals and spirit beings, and narratives of traditional Anishinabe lifeways. Another defining feature of Wilson’s drawings, and of the Woodlands style in general, is the depiction of life forms in X-ray fashion. In concept, the depiction of both an inner spirit and an outer form, allows the viewer to see the spirit inside what is drawn by the artist, and also allows the spirits to see us looking. Much of Wilson’s art is inspired by dreams, visions, and by stories passed down by his Ojibwe elders. With their strong connection to the spirit world of Anishinabe tradition, William Wilson’s drawings often inspire a deeper appreciation for a Native American world-view where all forms of creation are connected, and have a quality of spirit about them. The Tweed Museum of Art was able to acquire a group of Wilson’s drawings in 2007, and is pleased to introduce regional audiences to his art. His drawings will be available for sale through the Tweed Museum Store. The public is cordially invited to a free gallery talk by the artist, followed by a reception celebrating the exhibition, on Saturday, February 9, 2:00–4:00pm. William Wilson, Anindi Ajayan (Where Are You Going?), 2007 art marker on paper, 17 x 14"