The Lakota Art Studio and Gallery at 1020 Centre Street in Rockglen showcased the paintings, prints, cards, books and jewellery of Lakota artist, Kim Soo Goodtrack, along with several Indigenous and Saskatchewan-based artists.
“I feel grateful that the local artists in Assiniboia, Rockglen and Saskatchewan have embraced me.” Goodtrack said. “The art galleries in the city [Vancouver] didn’t embrace me, but the artists did, as well as the artist-run galleries.”
Goodtrack’s art is joyful, filled with layered colours and retains playful and speculative elements.
“I’m an abstract artist,” Goodtrack explained. “I don’t fit the cookie cutter idea of a Native artist.”
Yet, Goodtrack took care to incorporate several vital symbols in her art specific to Lakota culture, such as tipis, triangles and stars.
The mythology of the Star Nation, who exist in a parallel universe and are an essential component to Lakota culture, also influenced Goodtrack’s art.
“The Star People brought us things – the sacred pipe, the Sundance and the sweat lodge,” Goodtrack illuminated.
The Vault Gallery section of Goodtrack’s studio utilized a vault for a mini gallery within the studio once used as a bank.
Inside the vault, a variety of artistic styles were on display.
Kim’s private collection included a list of Canadian artists such as Lawrence Paul, Paul Wong, Henry Robertson, Norval Morrisseau and Allen Sapp.
Sapp was a distinguished Cree painter from North Battleford. Sapp’s art is renowned all over Canada for his paintings with strong narratives.
Sapp also incorporated several images of his grandmother in various paintings. Sapp’s art and personal history had been the focus of many books and documentaries.
Goodtrack’s studio and gallery also featured the brilliant and mesmerizing Lakota bead work of Lita Ferguson and Katherine Robichaud.
Saskatchewan artists on exhibit in Goodtrack’s gallery included the realistic paintings of Sandra Lamontagne (all mediums), photography by Wanda Knoss, alcohol and ink work by Joyce Anderson, wood turning by Michael Hosaluk, earrings weaved from wheat by Joy Silzer and Sandra Knoss – an acrylic on canvas prairie landscape artist.
Goodtrack closed her gallery temporarily in the spring in accordance with public health regulations with plans to reopen in early July.
Normally, Goodtrack’s studio is available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11-5 p.m.
Although Goodtrack’s lived in Vancouver, she has compelling associations with First Nations history in Southwest Saskatchewan, specifically from the Wood Mountain area.
Goodtrack’s a member of the Lakota Wood Mountain reserve about 63 kilometres southwest of Assiniboia.
Her great grandmother walked to Wood Mountain with Sitting Bull, when he led his tribe across the U.S. border into Canada in November 1876.
Goodtrack’s also a children’s author and a former children’s television presenter on the APTN programs, Wakenheja and Art Zone.
Wakenheja was the first puppet show to air on APTN.
She also taught art in Vancouver to children and adults.
Goodtrack’s book, The ABC’s of our Spiritual Connection, won the Children’s Choice Award and appeared on Sesame Street.
Goodtrack described this book as collection of the spiritual ways practised by the First Nations in Canada. “Throughout North America, First Nation’s people have many common spiritual bonds. In this book, I have shared our traditional beliefs,” Goodtrack wrote in the book’s introduction. “Our spiritual connection was shamed and denied, even outlawed, yet our sacred has survived.”
For more about Kim Soo Goodtrack’s art, books, music, storytelling events and further details about her Rockglen studio, see https://www.kimsoogoodtrack.com/.
