Looking Out from the Rock

The contemporary 'Woodland Art Tradition', of which John Laford is a part, traces its roots to the ancient rock art of the Canadian Shield and to the shamanistic tradition of bark scroll work. Cree and Ojibwa mythology and shamanistic imagery is frequently depicted in these works. This painting portrays the view seen by the supernatural being who inhabits the Agawa Pictograph.

contemporary art; spirit painting; legend painting

The underwater being, associated with the Agawa Pictograph controls the supply of fish and other water creatures.

Painting depicting a segmented, stylized, black outlined bird with its wings spread. The bird is green, purple and brown with red and orange eyes. Below the bird are two blue silhouetted creatures with long horns and with spikes along their backs and tails. The creatures are all depicted on a variegated water carried wash in oranges and blues with a grid pattern at the centre. Made in the Anishnaabe style.