Dale Auger: On Art, Blood and Kindred Spirits
by Terri Mason
Defining Dale Auger in one sentence is akin to releasing the colours of a diamond in one cut. It can’t be done. It’s the many facets that release a diamond’s true brilliance, as it is the many facets of Auger’s life, education, ancestry, experiences and beliefs that have shaped and polished his work into the internationally acclaimed and collected artist that he is today.
Born a Sakaw Cree from the Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta, Auger’s education began as a young boy when his mother would take him to be with the elders. “I used to say to myself, ‘Why is she leaving me with these old people?’ – but today I see the reason; I was being taught in the old way.”
Auger’s respect for traditional teachings led him on a journey to study art, opening the door to a doctorate in education. He is a talented playwright, speaker and visual artist whose vividly coloured acrylics have captured the attention of collectors that reads like an international ‘Who’s Who’ spanning English to Hollywood royalty. The essence of his work is communication, and now Dr. Auger has come full circle, interpreting the life of his culture – from the everyday to the sacred - through the cross-cultural medium of art.
“The art itself has always been the backbone. That’s what got me into university, that’s what set me on the road,” confirmed Auger, speaking from his cozy studio in Bragg Creek.
His artwork is bigger than life and creates a commanding presence, seemingly galvanized with a restrained power. However, it’s also deceptively simple; and therein lays the core of the artist.
“The simplicity is really a big part of my art,” affirms Auger. ‘Because these worlds we live in, what we might know as the Indian world versus the White world; sometimes it has created such a complex place for itself that the basic human need to communicate cannot be there. Sometimes we don’t communicate because we’re so far apart.”
His art draws people in, but it’s the kindness and humour reflected in Auger’s eyes that encourages people to stay. He slips into a conversation with a diplomat as easily as he does with a child. The comfort level he has achieved in his spiritual walk, along with his education, incredible talent and a broad sense of humour – all wrapped up in a PhD - makes for a potent combination and a surprisingly modest man.
“I’m really open to all forms of knowledge, art and art expression. In representing the First Nations people, a good part of my art comes from there, and I know its knowledge I have been born with.” His tone becomes thoughtful. “It may appear to be easy for me, but it’s still a responsibility to carry.”
Dale Auger’s art is available at his private studio. Call (403) 949-4131 to arrange a studio tour.
Biography
- Born January 16, 1958
High Prairie, Alberta, Canada
- Sakaw Cree from the Bigstone Cree Nation
Exhibitions
- 2000 Bearclaw Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta (solo)
- 2000 Great Falls, Montana (group)
- 2000 “Journeys,” Whyte Museum, Banff, Alberta (solo)
- 1999 “Dale Auger and Friends,” Calgary, Alberta
- 1999 Bearclaw Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta (solo)
Group Exhibitions – 1992-1998
- “People of the Land” Centre Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
- “Our Worlds are One” Triangle Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
- “Time for Dialogue” Triangle Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
- “Art of the West” Longview, Alberta
- Calgary Cowboy Festival, Calgary, Alberta
- Indian Arts and Crafts, Edmonton, Alberta
- Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta
Public Collections
- Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Bigstone Cree Nation, Desmaris, Alberta
- Calgary Immigration Aid Society, Calgary, Alberta
- Carscallen Lockwood, Calgary, Alberta
- Code Hunter Wittman, Calgary, Alberta
- Connelly Law Firm, Lethbridge, Alberta
- Elizabeth Fry Society, Calgary, Alberta
- HRH Prince of Wales, London, England
- Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council, Slave Lake, Alberta
- Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, Saskatoon, Sask.
- University of Calgary, Faculty of General Studies, Calgary, Alberta
- University of Calgary, Faculty of Law, Calgary, Alberta.
Private Collections
- Andre Cheviere, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
- Joe and Maureen Clark, Calgary, Alberta
- Consul General of Italy, Vancouver, B.C.
- Dr. Michelle Fraser and Kevin Finn, Calgary, Alberta
- Hana Gartner, Toronto, Ontario
- Anthony Hopkins, England
- James Keelaghan, Alberta
- Julia Ormond, London, England
- Brad Pitt, Los Angeles, California
- Aidan Quinn, New York
- Gayle Rutherford, Calgary, Alberta
- Kathleen Shannon, Montreal, Quebec
- Pat and Simon Waquan, Ft. McMurray, Alberta
- Ed Zwick, Los Angeles, California
And Many Others
Education
- 1999 Ph.D. in Education, University of Calgary
- 1996 Master of Arts in Education, University of Calgary
- 1992 Bachelor of Education, University of Calgary
- 1988 Alberta College of Art
- 1989 Certificate, Grant MacEwan Community College, Edmonton
|
