Credit: Jean Simon

Today we are pleased to feature Ojibway artist James Simon, also known as Mishibinijima. His book of drawings, Pictographs, is officially in print today—Happy Book Birthday! To learn more about the book, which depicts the myths and legends of his ancestors, check out the product page here.

Who is Mishibinijima?

• An Ojibway artist from the Wikwemikong First Nation, based on Manitoulin Island
• An educator as well as a mentor for his fellow artists
• His art emphasizes themes of respect, peace and interconnectedness
• His works are represented nationally and internationally in collections including the Royal Ontario Museum and the Vatican Museum

What has he worked on?

• A great many paintings, drawings and other art works
• A series of teaching materials about the four seasons for the Wikwemikong Board of Education
• Illustrations for Portraits of Spirit Island: The Manitoulin School of Art Comes of Age
• Pictographs: The Graphic Art of James Simon Mishibinijima

What are people saying about him?

• Powerful First Nations Art Exhibit Comes to PAMA in Brampton
• Tragic and Powerful First Nations Exhibit Now on at PAMA
• Peel art gallery embraces the dark side of history

“Mishibinijima’s intricate detail and use of symbols, adapted from birchbark scrolls and petroglyphs to represent various elements of his art and teachings, are brought to life with vibrant colors.” –Winona LaDuke

What should I read next?

• 150 Stories / 150 récits with stories by various authors (including Mishibinijima)
• And Now You Know: 50 Native American Legends by John W. Friesen, Virginia Lyons Friesen
• Spirits on Stone: Lake Superior Ojibwa History, Legends & the Agawa Pictographs by Thor Conway
• Before and after the Horizon: Anishinaabe Artists of the Great Lakes edited by David Penney

Where can I find more information about Mishibinijima?

• On his private gallery website
• On his Facebook page
• On Native Art Manitoulin

Hope you enjoyed this dive into the work of James Simon Mishibinijima. Be sure to check out Pictographs (available today!) to see some of Mishibinijima’s amazing and beautiful artwork.

Cheers,