Indigenous artist Justine Proulx believes art is healing, and the 200-foot mural they created outside Winnipeg’s RBC Convention Centre could be a catalyst for conversation and community.
“I think art can be very important in that way, just opening up the dialogue, visually educating people, and teaching people in a way that is easier, I think. And more natural to come across, as opposed to writing a public announcement or forcing people to read a book or something. It just gets the interest going a little more, and then we can move into that education portion.”
The mural titled Returning to Our Roots tells a story of Indigenous culture, nature, and renewal. Proulx wanted to explore how the loss of community and culture has caused many, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to become lost. The mural embodies themes of balance and connection to the Earth, featuring the four seasons, sacred medicines, eagles and bison. It serves as a reminder of the importance of reconnecting with nature and each other.
“I really wanted it to be as you walk down the street as if you were on a journey through the season. So the first panel starts in spring, and it starts with an eagle, and the eagle is very large. He’s holding the land. And, you know, Eagles in the seven teachings represent love.”
The second panel of Summer features vibrant colours, cedar, a muskrat, and a snapping turtle, representing the creation story. On the Fall panel, the colours darken, showcasing three bison, sage, and the cycle of the moon. Winter includes sweetgrass, a moose, polar bears, and northern lights, with more muted tones.
Symmetry is another important element of Proulx’s art.
“If you look at the mural straight on, the sun and the moon are mirrored. Symmetry is something I put in a lot of my murals. If you look at most of my artwork, it’s almost perfectly mirrored, or it’s half night or half day. And I really enjoy getting balanced in that in a visual way.”
Murals weren’t how Proulx got their artistic start. They started as a tattoo artist, only transitioning to murals after tattoo shops had to close during the pandemic. With an empty classroom, Proulx’s mother, who teaches Indigenous studies, asked if they would come and paint. Seeing a post of that mural on Instagram, a teacher at the Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre, where Proulx had taken classes, reached out to commission a mural at their school. This quickly turned into a full-time passion.
“Now, I mostly do that full-time. Like, I’m pretty much always painting some type of mural. So, the wait waitlist for the murals got kind of long. I think at one point, I had over 15 schools on it. I think I have eight, 8 or 10 now that I’m still needing to work through.”
Returning to Our Roots is Proulx’s most recent work. The four-piece mural between Carlton and Edmonton Street includes didactic panels on the pillars separating each image. These describe the symbolism and significance of each visual element. Proulx notes they will add a QR code once the winter weather improves that describes the images and their meaning in even greater detail.
Through all their mediums, Proulx hopes to spark conversations, inspire others to embrace creativity and foster deeper connections between people, culture, and nature.
– Ryan Funk, U Multicultural
