Carl Beam

Carl Beam was born in M’Chigeeng (West Bay) on Manitoulin Island. Of Ojibway heritage, the artist has exerted a strong influence on a whole generation of Aboriginal artists and has been instrumental in the development of the art of Canada’s First Nations. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria and also did post-graduate work at the University of Alberta. His work, executed in diverse media such as drawing, watercolour, etching, non-silver photography, photo transfer, installation and ceramics, has been exhibited throughout North America as well as in Italy, Denmark, Germany and China. It is found in major Canadian and international collections including the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo, N.Y. In 2000, Carl Beam was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. Until his death in the summer of 2005, he lived in M’Chigeeng.