O/C Leonard Beam Original Artwork- Frameless

One sign of good art is that the more you look at a work, the more you see and appreciate. This is true of the creations of Leonard Beam. His mixed-media paintings use various surfaces, acrylics, inks, tempura paints and photo transfers to create dream-like compositions with layers of possible meanings.

As a child of the “60s Scoop,” when Native children were taken from their homes in an attempt to assimilate them into the dominant culture of the time, Leonard seems to be exploring this trauma in some of his works, even repeating themes in various ways. Leonard makes frequent use of birds, feathers, photographs of old cars, and words. Birds and feathers seem to suggest flight, freedom or escape. The oldermodel cars have a beauty but may indicate the experience of being taken away from home. He uses letters and language in word play that makes you think of words in a new way, especially with a perspective that reflects Native experiences. Letters may not be the first thing you see in some of his works, but after careful study, they gradually become visible.

If Leonard’s last name is familiar, it’s because members of his extended family are also artists. His brother, Carl Beam, was the first Native artist to have contemporary work bought by the National Gallery of Canada.

Leonard’s Pinecone Art Gallery is located in M’Chigeeng on Manitoulin Island. Along with beautiful small works of cabinetry, there are paintings of all sizes, plus prints and lithographs.