June 4 – July 26 //
Reception: Friday, June 7, 6-8pm //
Book Signing: Saturday, July 20, 1-4pm //
“S.H.E. is Healing” 2024, a four-year community art project resulting in 13 spirit portraits. All nations of women working to heal, themselves, families, communities, through the pandemic and through infinity.
The project sought to create a community of compassion acknowledging everyone’s ability to heal from past trauma. Suellen was inspired by the earth’s ability to heal during the pandemic. Many of these women turned to earthly wisdom during the pandemic to calm their fears, including the artist. The art project was part of Suellen’s own healing. She looked to First Nation people to learn from their ability to heal with respect and admiration. Suellen was invited on two-year healing journey around the medicine wheel through the Grandmother apprenticeship with Grandmother Isabelle Meawasige, Conni Ma’iingan and other Grandmothers and Elders from March 2020-2022. This opportunity expanded Suellen’s quest which started in 1979 to learn more. This aspiration to learn started with meeting Ben Pouget in 1979. A First Nation friend who opened her eyes and heart, this awakened a life quest to heal and learn from First Nation people. Half of the subjects in “S.H.E. is Healing” are First Nation women.
“S.H.E. is Healing” processes entailed active listening to questions asked to create a visual representation of spirit. Encouraging the women to tell their story. The subject’s displayed enthusiasm to share their spiritual side. The artist doesn’t speak for these women but listens carefully to their offerings shared. These trust offerings were the seeds that grew each portrait.
“S.H.E. is healing” portraits are colorful acrylics on canvas framed in cedar. Suellen’s artwork since 2009 is pursuing the elusive connection between energy of Spirit, Humanity and Earth. Suellen a Grandmother since 2017 has been motivated to generate a community of compassion for the future of her grandchildren and the future of all children.
Join Suellen at the LAC on July 20 from 1-4pm for a drumming and book signing event.