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Brian J. Waboose – Canadian Native Artist

Ojibwe translation of Waboose means rabbit

Brian was born January 24, 1955 at Chapleau, Ontario.  Brian spent his early childhood amongst his family, seven brothers and one sister on Pic-Mobert reserve in the Thunder Bay area. 

Brian is an Ojibwe Indian known for his colourful paintings symbolic of wildlife, natural phenomena, Indian culture, and human experience in general.  His paintings, carvings and sculptures illuminate the conceptual reawakening of Ojibwa thought within the universal languages of colour and icon.

Many of Brian’s paintings reflect his experiences early in life at his home in Mobert.  As a child he spent many winters trapping with his parents and grandparents.  Brian’s work is influenced by these formative years in the bush.  His grandfather taught him about the land on which he lived. 

After the death of Brian’s father he was taken from his home at age nine and placed at St. Joseph’s Training School for boys. Brian was severely abused sexually, mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and culturally by the Christian Brothers while attending their institution.  From the Training Schools Brian was placed in a series of foster homes from there he lived on the streets, in jails and detox centers.  Today Brian uses his culture and various art forms to assist him with the healing of these childhood memories.

After working for an extended period of time as a full time artist Brian has return recently to studying art at the White Mountain Academy in Elliot Lake, Ontario, where he hopes to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Art.  Brian has also studied at Trent University and Ontario College of Art. Brian also gained experience as an art instructor with the Toronto Board of Education.  

Brian is a self-taught painter, who has achieved great success since he began his craft in 1977.  His works have been on show at galleries such as:  Tom Beckett Gallery of Hamilton; Crystal Art Gallery in Toronto, and the Woodland Cultural Center in Brantford, Ontario.  He has had displays of his works at the Harbour Castle Hotel (Toronto), the Chateau Laurier Hotel (Ottawa), the Royal Ontario Museum, Native Canadian Centre, Anishnabe Health, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, and at Queen’s Park in Toronto.  Many collectors in Germany, Spain, Mexico, the U.S.A., as well as throughout Canada have acquired Brian’s artwork.  

Today Brian lives with his wife and two children at Birch Island, Ontario.