Alex Janvier is one of Canada’s foremost First Nations artists. He was one of the original “Indian Group of Seven” that revolutionized Aboriginal art in the 1970s. This group broke with artistic tradition by going back to their Indigenous tradition.
The group consisted of; Daphne Odjig, Norval Morrisseau, Jackson Beardy, Eddy Cobiness, Carl Ray, Joseph Sanchez and Alex Janvier. Haida Artist Bill Reid was considered the eighth member and he participated in their shows. Sadly Alex and Joseph Sanchez are the only surviving members of the group.
Alex’s abstract and original style is evident in the Piece at Rogers Centre called Iron Foot Place. The name is Alex’s tongue in cheek reference to hockey. The artwork is designed to show a meeting place with dark lines curving and intersecting. The colours came from the local landscape with the greens and browns representing summer and fall colours with the white symbolizing winter and the snow and the ice surface of the arena.
The artwork is also a symbol of reconciliation as it is circular and embraces all people. The mural is located in a pedway that crosses the street to the arena and Alex pointed out the symbolism of his artwork sitting on a bridge.
The mural is a rich addition to an otherwise drab cement floor and it stands out in contrast as a beautiful flower on a cloudy day. I’m sure his friends in the group of seven would agree.