|
Alan Syliboy is an artist who struggled with his identity as a boy, but found strength and confidence through the heritage and traditions of the Mi'kmaq people. As he drew from his history, he grew and became a part of the legacy along the way. Syliboy lives on the Millbrook First Nation reserve at the edge of Truro in Nova Scotia. He uses the Mi'kmaq petroglyph tradition of art as inspiration for his work. You can see the tradition and respect in his images, and it reflects the art that the ancient Eastern Woodland Indian culture. When he started exploring his talent, he didn't feel confident in his work because he didn't know who he really was. He continued to work and was mentored by the Mi'kmaq artist Shirley Bear. He was then accepted to study at the Nova Scotia College of Art, and continued to draw influence from Mi'kmaq petroglyph records, and he even developed his own vocabulary to describe his work. The collections from this artist reflect his heritage, but they also reflect the love and respect he feels for his family. He admits that family is his center, and that anything else is just the exterior of his life. He has two sons and one daughter, and at one point applied his artwork to clothing and other novelties, and sold them door to door in order to provide for his family. He did well selling these items and it proved to be a good start to getting his work out in the public eye. Since the beginning, Alan Syliboy has continued to grow and progress. In 1997 he was invited to sit on the Board of Governors, and his collections have been shown at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Owens Art Gallery, the National Aboriginal Achievements Foundation and many other venues, and his current artwork can be viewed and purchased online and in galleries. Down To Earth Art & Framing is about Alan Syliboy. For more info visit downtoearth.ca (http://www.downtoearth.ca)
Related Articles -
Alan, Syliboy,
| 
