ARTIST STATEMENT
EXHIBITION HISTORY
GALLERIES
MY FAVORITES


Artist Statement -



7th. World Aboriginal Image Maker
Vision: the belief that symbology will be a huge part of the art. That all may project a uniqueness of their Indianess through this. I promote the essence of my culture through the educating of Cultural diversity & visions through symbols. The sharing through symbology/pictorial imaging precipitates a phenomenon of altruism and healing. Guidance through mind, heart, body and spirit is essential to envisioning a holistic sense of self. In reference to Creative Extraction, expression toward the enhancing of emotion and identification of authentic values and feelings enable release and validation. Building of inner strength and outer relationships are important to communicating who we are. Reflecting on shadow imaging and of internal elements will allow for visioning and creative connectedness. Our Community includes the participating of connecting with the public through the art and its symbolic representation regarding the intergenerational affect as illustrated by symbolic historical referencing and recording. The developing of inner creativity through outer expression allows a sense of identity and connecting of 2 worlds within. Integrating Aboriginal artistic mastery with Western/European mastery as a recognized fine artistry brings a unified and elegant fusion of a unique vision of true Canadian Fine Art.

Artist Exhibitions



1982 Queen Elizabeth Building, CNE, Toronto, Ontario
Dalhousie University, Halifax
MacDonald Hotel, Edmonton
Mississauga Mcinnes-Nixon Gallery, Mississauga
Air Canada, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie Art Gallery, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
1983 Holiday Inn, Toronto, Ontario
University of Kitchener, Kitchener, Ontario
University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario
Festival of Arts, Brantford, Ontario
Westin Hotel, Hungers End, Toronto, Ontario
Sheraton Northwood Hotel, Ft. McMurray, Alberta
Library, Ft. McMurray, Alberta
McDonald Island Trades Fair, Ft. McMurray, Alberta
O.M.N.S.I.A. Conference, White River, Ontario
1984 Native Canadian Centre, Ontario Native Artists by Helen Wilson, Spadina Ave. Toronto, Ontario
1988-89 Nimkis Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
1993 Native Canadian Center, Toronto, Ontario Brave Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
1992 Canada Council for Native Businesses, CCNB, Toronto, Ontario
�1994 Touch The Earth Gallery, London, Ontario Sept. 29-Oct.9
1995 Galleria Showing at Galleria Mall, London, Ontario
�1996 MIZIWE BIIK Aboriginal Employment, Toronto, Ontario
�1997 Artemis Gallery, Parry Sound, Ontario Festival of Sound
�1998 Sky Dome Pow Wow, Toronto, Ontario, A.N.D.V.P.
�1999 Two Woman Show Sweet Medicine Journey - Woolfitts Gallery Toronto, ON CBC Much Music Coverage
2000 Two Woman Show, Woolfits Gallery, Oct. 1-292000
2001 Neekawnisidok - All Our Relations Toronto, Ontario, City Hall Tundra A.N.D.V.P. Association For Native Development In The Performing Visual Arts
2002 Two Woman Show, Sweet Medicine Woman Acme Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
2003 Tundra Showing of Native Aboriginal Art Festival, Toronto, ON, Canada
2004 Fiesta Picasso, Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, 20th. Anniversary Ball, Silent Auction donation. Art on China, �Celebration Rejoicing of Inner Strength.�
2005 Group Showing, Streetsville Gallery, Aboriginal Treasures, Mississauga, O
2006 Aboriginal Treasures Exhibit, Mississauga, ON, Streetsville Gallery
2006 Halton Hills Arts Week, Halton Hills, Ontario.
2007 Aboriginal Treasures Exhibit, Mississauga, ON, Streetsville Gallery
2007 FASM, 10th. Anniversary Celebration 1997-2007
2008 FASM, From Heart to Hand, Fine Arts Society of Milton, Milton, ON
2009 Sheridan College, Symbols Desensitization of First Nations People, Presentation Workshop
2010 Through the Eyes of an Artist, Crawford Lake, Milton, ON, Group Exhibition, Tiny Object Teachings, Program Workshop on gifts from mother earth.
2010 DARLA FISHER-ODJIG, November 22, FASM, Milton, ON, Teaching Workshop. How To Get Rid of the Block.
2011 Through Women�s Hands, Art Gala Sale, March 8, Tammy Foster @ Chatham Kent Women�s Centre, Chatham, ON
2013-23 Group showing at Artspace Gallery, Chatham Ontario.
2023-23 httpswww.jnaag.caenexhibitsbeneath-the-mask-symbols-as-healing-phenomenon.aspx solo showing. Sarnia, Ont.

Solo Exhibitions
1986 Ontario North Now, Artist of the Week, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario
1987 Ontario North Now, Artist of the Week, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario
1991 Ontario North Now, Artist of the Week, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario
1992 Ontario North Now, Artist of the Week, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario
1993 Brave Gallery, Toronto, ON
1995 Touch The Earth Gallery, London, ON
2013 Artspace Gallery, Chatham ON
2023 httpswww.jnaag.caenexhibitsbeneath-the-mask-symbols-as-healing-phenomenon.aspx Sarnia, Ont.

�...

Artist Publications



Illustrations & Publications
1995 Book Cover and poetry, Native Women In The Arts, Book--In A Vast Dreaming CBC Much Music Coverage Arts
1995 Artwork Illustrations, poetry, Douglas & McIntyre, ANDVP, --Steel My Rage Joel Maki editor in chief
 1996 Book Cover-Illustrations for ANDVP, --Into The Moon ANDVP, Toronto, Ontario
 1997 Poetry, Warrior Cry, --Let the Drum Be Your Heart, Douglas & McIntyre, New Native Voices, Joel Maki, Toronto, Ontario Magazine -- Article on artist, SPIRITUALITY BELONGING, by Jennifer Lambert, Toronto, Ontario Canada
1998 Illustrations for --Diary Day Calendar, Toronto, Ontario, Women’s Free Press Magazine Aboriginal Voices, Article on Daphne Odjig, Notification of recognition
2004 In the Arts Entertainment, Much Music, Toronto, ON

Acton, ON – (Release Date TBD) – In a riveting poetic anthology, readers will be feasting their eyes on brilliant art while digesting riveting poetry. A refreshing healing is unleashed with the release of Darla Fisher-Odjig’s new book published through Xlibris. Exceptional art and profound insights await readers in the gripping pages of My Healing Journey: A Walk in Two Worlds.
In the book of poetry and prose, Fisher-Odjig hopes to touch the hearts of those who may not understand the long term affects of trauma. Medication and therapy are among the treatments for depression as the pains instilled by generations of struggle persist. The author shares in this anthology her belief that the best medicine is listening first to one’s own heart, secondly, that no one is alone, and that it is possible to escape the nightmares associated with trauma. Throughout the engrossing pages, readers will experience poems that show many emotions and feelings brought about by those fears and nurtured by the “Seven Grandfathers” as applied toward a better understanding of a balanced value system within.
With breathtaking art and poignant flow of words, My Healing Journey: A Walk in Two Worlds will introduce readers to an uplifting world where the solutions to all personal and social dilemmas are within reach. For more information, log on to www.Xlibris.com.

I am a 7th World Aboriginal Image Maker, a fine artist/poet of First Nation lineage. My mother Arbutus is of Dutch French Canadian background and my father Stanley of the Ojibwa, Potawatomi, Odawa Nation and a WWII veteran. My grandfather Dominic served in WWI. My great grandfather was a part of the “Three Fires Confederacy” hosting meetings in his home on Manitoulin Island Wikwemikong reserve. My aunt Daphne Odjig is a well known Canadian artist who has given me insight into my artistic vision. This lineage has enabled the Integration of Aboriginal artistry with Western/European artistry bringing a unified and elegant fusion of a unique vision of true Canadian fine art and poetry. My art is part of the Indian and Inuit Art Collection at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and I also have participated in silent auctions for charitable causes such as the “Gardener Museum of Ceramic Art “Fiesta Picasso Galla” and “Friends of the Lubicon”, Lubicon Lake Indian Nation as well as donating my work to the Homewood Health Centre Trauma Division. My poetry and art include published works in Steel My Rage, Poetry & Art, Douglas & McIntyre, In A Vast Dreaming Art and poetry, Native Women In The Arts, Let the Drum Be Your Heart, Douglas & McIntyre, New Native Voices, Joel Maki as well as Illustrations/Art for Native Women In The Arts, Women's Free Press. My vision is to educate and help those who have experience intergenerational trauma and loss. My art and poetry is an inbred character map of the many struggles and triumphs endured through a healing journey of 22 years. “Images and words are a visual/verbal transference of thought to energy. A Unified form of birth to the inner self. This gives way to a connection of two worlds, enabling a channel for the inner child to express and develop him/herself through energy to matter, from thought to visual and verbal connectedness and is essential to our real, true selves. It is the grounding of self to authentic self and the amalgamation of the two; it is the dropping of the masks.”

Contact info for purchase of book:
My Healing Journey * by Darla Fisher-Odjig
To request a complimentary paperback review copy, contact the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 7479. Tear sheets may be sent by regular or electronic mail to Marketing Services. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 x. 7876. ...

Artist Collections



Collections
1995 Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, National Museum of Man (Indian Art Centre
Ottawa)
1996 Private Collection, Mrs. R. Vandenburg, Oakville, ON, Canada
1997 Canadian Native Arts Foundation, Visual Arts, Toronto, Ontario
1999 Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, Ontario Canada
1999                    Private Collection, Dr. Goldfarb, Etobicoke, On, Canada
2000 Private Collection, Mr. Duke Redbird, The Coloured Stone, Toronto, ON, Canada
...

Artist Favorites