In Memoriam: Alex Janvier

The Art Gallery of Alberta joins our community in mourning the loss of Alex Janvier, a prolific artist, educator, political activist and trailblazer. Alex Janvier's art tells powerful stories of his Denesuline and Saulteaux heritage, his experience at the Blue Quills Indian Residential School, and environmental awareness through his involvement in the Primrose Lake land claim.  His diverse body of work bridges cultural divides with his unique, vibrant style. Alex Janvier began his art education in 1956 at the Provincial Institute of Technology (now Alberta University of the Arts). In 1960, he completed a diploma in Fine Arts with Honours, becoming the school’s first Indigenous graduate. His work has been exhibited internationally for several decades and he is the recipient of many awards and distinctions, including the National Aboriginal Lifetime Achievement Award (2002), the Order of Canada (2007), the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts (2008) and the Alberta Order of Excellence (2010).

Alex Janvier's works have been featured in many AGA exhibitions, including ALEX JANVIER in 2012 – a major career retrospective organized by the Art Gallery of Alberta - as well as 7: Professional Native Indian Artists Inc. in 2016, organized by the MacKenzie Art Gallery. The AGA is fortunate to have several of Alex Janvier’s works in our permanent collection, three of which are currently on view in AGA100: Act 1 and Act 2.

Through his artwork and his political advocacy, Alex Janvier has inspired many and will continue to do so for generations to come. We remember and honor his incredible contributions to the art world and express our sincere condolences to his family and friends.