IceBear

Navigating Two Worlds: The Journey of IceBear, a Canadian Ojibway

IceBear is Canadian Ojibway, and he credits the strength of his visions to his cultural heritage. His early years were not happy ones; he was one of the unfortunate youngsters removed from his community and family under the auspices of the notorious ‘Watson Act,’ known better as ‘The Sixties Scoop.’ The intent was to take the children as far from their culture as possible and turn them into little European children—a misguided effort that did not work well for the children or society.

Beginning life in a small wooden cabin in the forest with skins covering the windows, and speaking no English, he was delivered to a foster home in downtown Toronto where he was strictly forbidden to speak his language. Fortunately for young Chris, the Spirit of Art, with him since he was old enough to hold a pencil, according to the Elders of his people whom he met decades later, helped him not only to survive but also, as he grew, to flourish. He grew up with one foot in the native world and the other in the white man’s world, learning valuable lessons from both.

Artistic Genesis: IceBear's Early Journey and Evolution

The essence of IceBear's art began early. As a small child, drawings were his only means of communication. His first public art "commission" at the age of 10 was a paper window collage for the local church that remained for years until replaced with real stained glass. As a teen, he attended the Toronto Artist’s Workshop for gifted young artists, supplementing meager governmental support by creating paintings that friends sold on city streets.

Later, he spent 25 years with commercial art and design agencies, including his specialty design boutique, creating corporate image and marketing packages for national and international clients. Arriving in Vancouver, BC, in the early 80s, he continued as an independent designer until his early love for fine art gradually reasserted itself. In the 90s, his focus shifted to paintings and sculpture, evolving and progressing through realism to abstract and expressionistic visions that have become the hallmark of IceBear's art.

Metamorphosis in Artistry: IceBear's Art Style

The transition happened over a few years, moving from graphic styles reflecting his cultural roots through semi-representational work, evolving and incorporating lessons from years in the commercial world, to large, vivid, often heavily textured abstracts, and expressionistic paintings and sculptures. His indigenous background, while not always the main theme or focus, is apparent to those who look for it. Despite the wide variety of themes and styles of work, it is always there, just below the surface, for those familiar with his art. His technical mastery of the media allows him to breathe life into the Visions, employing whatever style and technique is needed.

Huge public artworks were created between 1997 and 2001, a period that led to him adopting his totem name IceBear. Since then, IceBear's art has appeared in dozens of exhibitions, both joint and solo, in Europe, the US, Asia, and, of course, Canada.