In April 2025, there will be a posthumous show of Elvis Antoine’s art at Katie + Gunner Gallery in the Exchange District in Winnipeg. In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of Elvis Antoine’s art.
Three of his paintings were chosen to be in the Senate of Canada in 2023. In the fall of 2024, there was a major show of his work at the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba in Brandon. Lucie Lederhendler, curator at the gallery, noted that “there is an absolute signature style to an Elvis Antoine painting.” The response to the art of Elvis Antoine during the show at the gallery in Brandon was extremely positive with pages and pages of glowing comments in the gallery guestbook including “AMAZING! JAW DROPPING!, Beautiful, Incredible, Fabulous!”
Elvis Antione is from Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. He was mentored early on by Jackson Beardy who spent summers in the community. Following high school in Regina, he received formal instruction in art at the University of Manitoba. Briefly, he was the leading actor in La Legende du cheval blanc being the hero who lifts his Ojibwe princess onto the back of his White Horse.
His art – “Plains” art – stands in contrast to that of the “Woodlands” art school. Being Dakota, Elvis’ focus was on horses and the plains of western Canada. Often the mountains of Alberta can be seen in the background to give a perspective of the vast plains between Sioux Valley and the Rocky Mountains. Often a black spotted horse is featured – as Lucie Lederhandler explains – “The spotted horse is prominently featured as both the artist and the representative – the dreamer and the dream.”
Eagles (the mediator) are also featured, as are bison, bears, wolves and loons. Many paintings have five stars representing his five children who shine in his artist’s life. Several paintings include the moon and stars representing those who watch over Mother Earth throughout the night.
Come and visit Katie and Gunner’s gallery in April at 102 – 141 Bannatyne Ave in Winnipeg and see the amazing detail in the fine paintings by Elvis Antoine. You can call ahead at 204-306-8858. Elvis’s art work will be up from Friday April 11 to Saturday May 3. The gallery is open Tuesday to Thursday from 11 am to 5 pm, on Friday from 11 am to 7 pm and on Saturday from 12 noon to 5 pm.
Together with the art of Elvis Antoine, will be an exhibition of the fine soapstone carvings of Greg Fritz.
