Jim Oskineegish: Keep Yourself Alive

June 21 – September 15, 2024

Summer Party Opening Reception: Saturday June 22, 2024

Keep Yourself Alive is the debut exhibition by Jim Oskineegish, a second-generation Woodland artist from Eabametoong First Nation (Fort Hope). Curated by Caitlyn Bird, Jim’s paintings fuse personal stories with Woodland, Surrealism, and Pop Art. This exhibition of thirteen portraits is a love letter to his heroes.

In 2010, after a major surgery and a long recovery, Jim experienced painful memories from his childhood, specifically the abuse and trauma he endured as a Sixties Scoop survivor. In his My Hero Series, he portrays his childhood heroes including 1980s rock stars like Jimi Hendrix and Freddie Mercury and movie stars such as Bruce Lee and Chief Dan George. His portraits also pay homage to family and friends, like his late brother, Robert Kowalow. For Jim, these heroes have qualities of strength and bravery and provided comfort and inspiration for keeping yourself alive.

Image: Jim Oskineegish, Eddie Van Halen, Acrylic on Canvas, 2019