Pokomoochpetooaak/Pokemouche
Land of abundance
Artists
Donald McGraw
Audrey Sanipass
Pokemouche.
In Mi’kmaq: gathering place, permanent camp ground, land of abundance.
Crossing for the bark canoes.
During torch fishing, with the help of resin torch lights embracing the night, Mi’kmaqs and Acadians harpoon with force the silvery eels using a fish spear.
The cranberries meet the forests, the sea welcomes the river.
Alluvium nourishes the ground.
The river, luminous path becomes a raging river at full moon.
She chants her history like the burning sensation of desire.
Like an inferno sky during the big fire.
Lying in a clearing covered with moss, we can see the sun waltzing at the zenith, drawing the fusion of two nations, of two continents, of two worlds.
The Old and the New.
The star-studded sky appears in the foliage of the wild trees.
The blackbirds sing with the waves of the big tower.
Without forgetting the fabulous gallery of Donald McGraw, artist and painter.
His tribute to the First Nations.
An Acadian monument to light up our Tower of Babel.
Also to remind us that Pokemouche saw Valentin Landry grow up, founder of L’Évangéline.
Pokemouche fascinates in the heart of the Peninsula.
Symbol of gathering in the heart of the people.
Will we stand united in the end?!
Donald McGraw
Moncton, N.B.
A man and… his destiny
The son of an Irish father and of an Acadian mother with Mi’kmaq ancestors, Donald grew up on Acadian soil where he formed strong roots. Proud of his origins, he not only learned the history of the Acadian deportation, but also how the famine in Ireland played a determinant role in the emigration of his father’s ancestors to Canada as well as his ties with the First Nations. The subtlety of his artistic soul reflected in each of his painting, is the result of deepest inner roots.
Donald developed a taste for the arts at a very young age. Even though his education at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design was decisive, his own personal experiences shaped the artist he would become. It is the many harsh and tragic experiences in his life that prompted a profound urge to express his gratitude for having survived to four of those tragedies. His art creations became the witness of all the beauties of life which surround us.
The artist who gave homage to life…
As you will discover, Donald’s homage to life has touched many. His work has been seen by thousands of people and is permanently displayed in several institutions in New Brunswick. Many prominent citizens own his paintings. Mr. McGraw has received different delegations and dignitaries at his Gallery in Pokemouche, New Brunswick, the village where he grew up. He has received honours and invited to formal activities to present his paintings to dignitaries in Canada and other countries.
His collection, “ Circle of Chiefs \ Circle of life” has been on display at the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John, New Brunswick in 2008.
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The work he created for the Irreducible Roots exhibition is inspired by the Mi'kmaq origin of the name "Pokemouche".
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"The river symbolizes the passage, the road. After more than three thousand years of native presence on the territory, one day, a white presence stands on the road. The great blue heron, which identifies nature, tames time and its passage. The three symbols symbols form a triangle, are interrelated and each leads to the other.
Audrey Sanipass
First Nation
Indian Island, N.B.
Audrey Sanipass is a First Nations artist born in Indian Island First Nation, she has perfected an art form made from porcupine needles. It was in the 1990's that she began this passion that continues to grow through her art.
Her passion is also reflected in the respect and care she takes in the preparation and research of her basic materials, for example for the birch bark which is only collected when the sap rises in the tree, as well as the "sweet grass" which is only collected after the full moon in July. The same goes for porcupine needles, of which only the most beautiful are selected for the realization of her works.
Her artistic approach is refined over time and is becoming more and more like a research that favours the expression of a unique creativity, while respecting an authentic Amerindian tradition.
Her work his part of numerous collections, notably in museums in the United States.
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The work she created for the Irreducible Roots exhibition is inspired by the Mi'kmaq origin of the name "Pokemouche".