CVAG GATHER⋮PLACE
ARTWORKS – PAST AND PRESENT
A selected collection of older and new works
This collection brings together a selection of works by George Littlechild that trace his artistic journey across decades. This presentation situates earlier works alongside more recent pieces, revealing the continuity of themes that have anchored Littlechild’s vision: remembrance, resilience, and celebration.
Littlechild’s practice emerged from lived experiences shaped by the intergenerational impacts of colonialism, including the Sixties Scoop. His works often use a vibrant palette and layered imagery that reflect the complexities of navigating cultural identity. In reimagining archival photographs, documents, and personal mementos, Littlechild transforms histories of erasure into a reclamation of family and community ties through art.
Through painting, collage, and mixed media, Littlechild has consistently used art as both a place of healing and a form of resistance, intertwining his personal history with larger narratives of Indigenous resilience.
Artworks – past and present affirms George Littlechild’s enduring role as both witness and storyteller, inviting us into a space where history and creativity converge.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
George Littlechild has had numerous solo and group exhibitions. His art has been exhibited in Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia, Tasmania and Europe. His books and art have won numerous awards and scholarships. To date he has created hundreds of artworks, which hang in public and private collections around the world.
Littlechild was born in Edmonton, Alberta on August 16, 1958. The son of a Plains Cree mother and a Canadian Celtic father, Littlechild was taken from his home as part of the Sixties Scoop and was raised by foster parents in Edmonton. He received a diploma in art and design from Red Deer College in 1984, and a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax in 1988. He also received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of the Fraser Valley. His socially charged mixed-media paintings are often made in response to political movements, societal concerns such as reconciliation and reclamation, as well as personal history.
“In my work, I am committed to righting the wrongs that First Nations peoples have endured by creating art that focuses on cultural, social and political injustices. As an artist, educator and cultural worker, my goal is a better world. It is my job to show the pride, strength and beauty of First Nations people and cultures, and contribute to the betterment of all people.” – George Littlechild
OPENING TALK WITH GEORGE LITTLECHILD, JESSIE EVERSON, AND PRISCILLA LITTLECHILD
Recorded September 20, 2025
CONTENT ADVISORY: This program addresses the difficult history of the Indian Residential School system in Canada, the tragic death and loss of over 5,000 Indigenous children, the Sixties Scoop and their destructive impact on the lives of individuals, families, and generations of those involved.
If you are a survivor, family member or feel that you are in need of support, you can seek assistance through:
• Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419
• Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1-855-242-3310 or www.hopeforwellness.ca
• BC Wide Indigenous Crisis and Support Line at 1-800-KUU-US17 or 1-800-588-8717
Artworks – past and present is part of an expansive program at the Comox Valley Art Gallery called George Littlechild: Hope for a better world.
