Description
Jay Odjick is an Algonquin artist from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg community. Odjick’s painting title Mushkiki translates to “medicine” in Anishinabe and speaks to the teachings of the Medicine Wheel. Traditional teachings of the Medicine Wheel encompass aspects of spiritual and holistic learning and represent the four elements, the four directions, and the four seasons. The four mechanisms of human consciousness that are required to achieve harmony are part of the teachings as well, namely, spiritual, physical, mental and emotional awareness. The quadrants of the Medicine Wheel speak to the four seasons, the four cardinal directions, as well as the four stages of life; early childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and mature adulthood. This artwork expresses balance and harmony through its profound cultural significance and formal aesthetic qualities. By centering these four colours and balancing them horizontally and vertically through a structured composition, the artist illuminates the essential elements of the medicine wheel and its role in achieving balance within oneself.
Jay Odjick is an illustrator, having illustrated Robert Munsch’s book Blackflies, which was a number two National Bestseller in the summer of 2017. Odjick serves as the lead writer, executive producer as well as lead designer on the television series Kagagi. In addition to his work on that series, Odjick has also worked as a designer for and provided illustrations for the APTN series Mouki.