Painter makes culture a career

Page 19

Renowned Cree artist Allen Sapp loves his people and loves his culture. That emotion is easily seen in his art work.

At age 69, when most people are in retirement, Sapp shows no signs of letting up on his life-long addiction to the people in his world and the places he knows. In fact, he has made a successful career of it. Travelling to art shows, galleries and exhibits both near and far, Sapp is making a living by showing people what makes his life so special. This past spring, he did no fewer than four shows and sales after a season of furious painting.

Many of Sapp's paintings were viewed at Edmonton's West End Gallery at a two week showing in early November. The artist even made himself available toward the end of his showing for personal visits with fans of his work. The reaction was large.

Approximately 400 people showed up for his one-day personal appearance at the gallery. Taking in his paintings and speaking to the charismatic, cowboy hat-wearing Elder, many visitors left the gallery with Sapp's own book featuring all of his works. "I Heard The Drums," is a beautiful hard cover tribute and is the fourth book highlighting the artistic talents of Sapp.

The book features a collection of 75 paintings by Sapp. The artist said he gets most of his inspiration from his home on the Red Pheasant Reserve and the Saskatchewan prairie lands.

Working from his Battleford, Saskatchewan home, many of his subjects are of his mother and father For example, his mother feeding chickens and his father hauling wood are common fare as are children at play in the winter snow.

The inspiration for "I Heard the Drums," stems from his boyhood years and his fascination for the drumming and singing at powwows and Sun Dances. Sapp still travels the powwow circuit, dancing and enjoying new friendships.

The West End Gallery said that although the talented artist is no longer being displayed, they can arrange to have pieces available for interested viewers to look at.