First Name: Isaac

Last Name: Bignall

Full Name: Isaac Bignall

Date of birth: 1958

Place of birth: Pas Reserve Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Date of death: 1996

Community / Heritage: Cree

Sex: Male

Art Media: Acrylic, airbrush watercolour, silkscreen, lithograph, mixed media, watercolour.

Bio:

Isaac Bignell was a Cree painter born in 1958 at the Pas Reserve, 400 miles north of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Bignell was primarily a self–taught artist who worked through various techniques until he developed his own distinct fluid style. He took inspirations from nature and traditional ways of life of Cree people; he loved to dance and was associated with numerous native drum and dance groups.

He was quoted saying: “My art is strongly influenced by the traditional ways of my people. I was brought up to live off the land from an early age. Hunting and trapping, living in harmony with the earth has taught me to respect the animals and the spirit and power of nature. I hoop dance and sing Pow Wows to maintain my cultural heritage. Through art and dancing I attempt to influence native people to continue their cultural ways; the gift that was given to us by the Great Spirit.”

Bignell’s art and his devotion to the community has influenced many well-known Indigenous artists, including Russel Noganosh and Garnet Tobacco.

Isaac Bignell died at the height of his career in 1996, following complications from a concussion.

Isaac Bignell’s legacy lives on through his work.

Articles

• http://www.native-art-in-canada.com/isaac_bignell.html
• https://www.oscardo.com/collections/isaac-bignell