Allen SappOCSOMRCA (January 2, 1928 – December 29, 2015) was a Canadian Cree painter, who resided in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. His art and his story have become known throughout Canada. His paintings tell a personal story, and many feature images of his grandmother. His work and life story have been the subject of a number of books and television documentaries.
Sapp was born on the Red Pheasant Reserve, south of the city of North Battleford.[1] His mother suffered from tuberculosis and died during his adolescence.
Sapp was raised by his maternal grandmother and grandfather, Albert and Maggie Soonias. As a child he was often ill and spent long hours in bed.[2] His grandmother nurtured him and encouraged his love of drawing, while teaching him in the Cree ways.
He attended the Red Pheasant school, but his grandfather removed him from the school because he needed him on the farm. Sapp remained at home and cared for his grandmother until she died in 1963.
Career
After her death, Sapp moved to North Battleford to try to make a living as an artist, selling paintings door to door.[3] In 1966 he met Dr. Allan Gonor, who recognized Sapp's talent and encouraged him to paint what he knew—life on the reserve. Sapp began to paint his childhood memories, often staying up all night painting. Gonor helped him to sell several paintings to the Winnipeg Art Gallery.[4] In 1969, 40 of his paintings were displayed in an exhibition at the Robertson Galleries.[5] By the 1970s, his work was known across North America and as far away as London, England.
In spite of his artistic success, Sapp's lack of education and disinterest in practical matters led to difficulties in managing his finances. He and his wife continued to live in a small home near North Battleford.[7] He died in his sleep on December 29, 2015.[9][10] His paintings illustrate the award-winning Nokum: is My Teacher by David Bouchard with music by the drum group Northern Cree.[11]
In North Battleford, a gallery has been created to display Sapp's paintings.[14]
References
^"Indigenous reality revealed in Cree painter Allen Sapp's work". Betty Ann Adam, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, June 6, 2017
^University of Saskatchewan. Indian and Northern Curriculum Resources Centre. Indian, Metis and Eskimo Leaders in Contemporary Canada. Indian and Northern Curriculum Resources Centre, College of Education, University of Saskatchewan; 1972*.
^The Northian. Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation; p. 16–18.
^"Allen Sapp". SouthwestArt. Art Magazine Publishers; 1975. p. 82–84.
^Indian News. Vol. 11-15. Indian and Eskimo Affairs Program; 1969.
^ abAndrea Hill. "Brushed Off: Documents suggest Sapp felt taken advantage of". Star-Phoenix, September 28, 2017.
^. Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. Archived from the original on May 26, 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
^"'Grandfather of Saskatchewan art' Allen Sapp dies at age 87". 30 December 2015.
^Morgan Modjeski; Saskatoon StarPhoenix More Morgan Modjeski; Saskatoon StarPhoenix. "Remembering Saskatchewan artist Allen Sapp". Saskatoon StarPhoenix.
allen, sapp, this, article, about, painter, musician, composer, january, 1928, december, 2015, canadian, cree, painter, resided, north, battleford, saskatchewan, story, have, become, known, throughout, canada, paintings, tell, personal, story, many, feature, i. This article is about the painter For the musician see Allen Sapp composer Allen Sapp OC SOM RCA January 2 1928 December 29 2015 was a Canadian Cree painter who resided in North Battleford Saskatchewan His art and his story have become known throughout Canada His paintings tell a personal story and many feature images of his grandmother His work and life story have been the subject of a number of books and television documentaries Allen SappBornSa pu num Kiskayetum 1928 01 02 January 2 1928Red Pheasant Cree Nation Saskatchewan CanadaDiedDecember 29 2015 2015 12 29 aged 87 North Battleford SaskatchewanNationalityPlains CreeSpouseMargaret SappAwardsOrder of CanadaSaskatchewan Order of MeritWebsitewww allensapp com Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 References 4 External linksEarly life EditSapp was born on the Red Pheasant Reserve south of the city of North Battleford 1 His mother suffered from tuberculosis and died during his adolescence Sapp was raised by his maternal grandmother and grandfather Albert and Maggie Soonias As a child he was often ill and spent long hours in bed 2 His grandmother nurtured him and encouraged his love of drawing while teaching him in the Cree ways He attended the Red Pheasant school but his grandfather removed him from the school because he needed him on the farm Sapp remained at home and cared for his grandmother until she died in 1963 Career EditAfter her death Sapp moved to North Battleford to try to make a living as an artist selling paintings door to door 3 In 1966 he met Dr Allan Gonor who recognized Sapp s talent and encouraged him to paint what he knew life on the reserve Sapp began to paint his childhood memories often staying up all night painting Gonor helped him to sell several paintings to the Winnipeg Art Gallery 4 In 1969 40 of his paintings were displayed in an exhibition at the Robertson Galleries 5 By the 1970s his work was known across North America and as far away as London England In 1986 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for his portrayals of Native peoples and of life on the reserve 6 In 1985 he was awarded the Saskatchewan Order of Merit 7 In 1975 he was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts 8 In spite of his artistic success Sapp s lack of education and disinterest in practical matters led to difficulties in managing his finances He and his wife continued to live in a small home near North Battleford 7 He died in his sleep on December 29 2015 9 10 His paintings illustrate the award winning Nokum is My Teacher by David Bouchard with music by the drum group Northern Cree 11 The 2003 book by David Bouchard The Song within my Heart Illustrated by Sapp tells the story of Sapp s childhood 12 In 2003 he received the Governor General s Award for English language children s illustration for the book The Song Within My Heart 13 In North Battleford a gallery has been created to display Sapp s paintings 14 References Edit Indigenous reality revealed in Cree painter Allen Sapp s work Betty Ann Adam Saskatoon Star Phoenix June 6 2017 University of Saskatchewan Indian and Northern Curriculum Resources Centre Indian Metis and Eskimo Leaders in Contemporary Canada Indian and Northern Curriculum Resources Centre College of Education University of Saskatchewan 1972 The Northian Saskatchewan Teachers Federation p 16 18 Allen Sapp SouthwestArt Art Magazine Publishers 1975 p 82 84 Indian News Vol 11 15 Indian and Eskimo Affairs Program 1969 Order of Canada citation a b Andrea Hill Brushed Off Documents suggest Sapp felt taken advantage of Star Phoenix September 28 2017 Members since 1880 Royal Canadian Academy of Arts Archived from the original on May 26 2011 Retrieved 11 September 2013 Grandfather of Saskatchewan art Allen Sapp dies at age 87 30 December 2015 Morgan Modjeski Saskatoon StarPhoenix More Morgan Modjeski Saskatoon StarPhoenix Remembering Saskatchewan artist Allen Sapp Saskatoon StarPhoenix Bouchard David 2006 Nokum is My Teacher Postface Illustrated by Allen Sapp Music by Northern Cree Red Deer Press ISBN 978 0 88995 367 3 Tousley Nancy 23 November 2003 The Song within my Heart book review Calgary Herald The Book Review Digest Annual cumulation H W Wilson Company 2005 p 140 141 Wayne F Brown Sam Steele and the Northwest Rebellion The Trail of 1885 Heritage House 15 May 2013 ISBN 978 1 927527 23 8 p 133 Other sourcesAlwin Gallery London The Cree Indian painter Allen Sapp first one man exhibition in Europe London Alwin Gallery 1970 OCLC 82881721 Allen Sapp Gallery North Battleford Saskatchewan Allen Sapp Gallery Site About Life and Art 1 External links EditOfficial website Allen Sapp in The Canadian Encyclopedia Canada House Gallery Banff West End Gallery Edmonton AB Allen Sapp at Library of Congress Authorities with 6 catalogue records Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Allen Sapp amp oldid 1135986261, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
