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ZHAAWANART NEW FISHER STAR CREATIONS
Visual artist sharing Anishinaabe tales under the light of the Fisher Star
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"There is a story to every painting"
Native Woodland artist Zhaawano Giizhik presents to you with a grateful heart his art project named New Fisher Star Creations, a venture of unbound Love, Vision, and Creativity in the ancient and sacred tradition of the Anishinaabeg and Ininewak (Cree) storytellers. The traditional, allegorical narrative of the constellation of the Fisher Star, Zhaawano's favorite tale, runs through his blood and his works of art. As a jewelry artist and storyteller at heart Zhaawano offers you an exciting variety of works of fine art and written stories. The website was originally set up as a joint art project; a dynamic platform for showcasing written stories and poetry and, occasionally, fine art by himself and by kindred artists who draw from the same cultural and artistic source as he does.
In his art and writings Zhaawano tells the aadizookaanan, the legends and sacred stories of his ancestors — because stories were used as a teaching tool long before there was a school. The stories and narratives that are being shared on this website are as strongly allegorical as in the old tradition of storytelling, yet they also contain lessons that reflect today’s world. Woven around his art and carefully wrapped in ancient metaphors and age-old symbolism, each one of Zhaawano's creations is a teaching mirror, instilling in the minds of those who make the effort to look init a living sense of human potentials and infusing their hearts with the power of humility and love...
Where does the name "New Fisher Star Creations" come from?
What else can be said about Zhaawano's art project named New Fisher Star Creations, and the origin of the name? As Zhaawano grew up he heard many traditional stories about the stars and he learned that, since it is believed that stars move from east to west, new life and knowledge emerge from Waaban, the eastern sky and that the spirits of those who pass on travel to Ningaabii'an, the Western Sky. He also learned that the most well-known and beloved asterism in Anishinaabe lore is the Big Dipper, which is part of the greater Ursa Major constellation. The Big Dipper is called Ojiig-anang or Ochikatak (Fisher Marten Star) by the Anishinaabeg and the Ininewak.
It was in the course of 2012 that, under the sacred guidance of the Fisher Marten Star, Zhaawano chose to walk the creative path with his then artistic parter Simone McLeod - which eventually inspired him into creating this art project and website.
Now, almost a decade later, the friendship and artistic collaboration called "Fisher Star Creations" have come to an end, but the stories continue, under a new name: New Fisher Star Creations...
ZhaawanArt Storyteller Creations Facebook page: poetry and short stories by Zhaawano
Native Woodland Artists, Medicine Painters & Jewelers Facebook page
The road to regaining pride in culture and self
"The Power of Spirit Memory"
Being a contemporary Native Woodland artist inspired by the past, Zhaawano looks to the traditional symbols of the Anishinaabe Peoples as a foundation of a great variety of jewelry designs, poetry, and written stories.
By using ‘‘spirit memory,’’ the remembrance of ancestral knowledge, Zhaawano seeks to re-introduce through his storytelling and works of art (and, on occasion, through the works of of kindred artists) the ancient world view of his People and channel it into the contemporary consciousness. In other words, he uses his skills and acuteness to find artistic ways to translate the cultural expressions of yesterday into the language of today, and render them into contemporary imagery that captivates the minds, opens up the hearts, and fires the imagination of everyone who lays eyes on it. This art project, or creative collaboration of kindred spirits, is called "New Fisher Star Creations."
New Fisher Star Creations was initiated by Zhaawano in the hope to be able to help his People make aware of, and give them a sense of pride in, their culture and the lifeways of the ancestors - and, most important of all, to help them regain a quiet and benign sense of pride in themselves and make them aware of all that they can accomplish in the here and now.
Miigwech for embarking with New Fisher Star Creations on this wonderful creative and spiritual journey...
Learn more about the Seven Grandfather Teachings of the Anishinaabe Midewiwin that provide a unique theme to my paintings and written stories.
- Illustration: Pen-and-ink drawing by Zhaawano.
