Art Card Mark Nadjiwan Otter Thoughts

 When we think of otters, it is easy to imagine what they might think about; perhaps days filled with the playful antics of running and sliding. We can see this in the picture, where the two otters conjure images of such days, seen in the circling otter forms (thoughts) surrounding them. Otter is a clan animal among the Anishinabek. And it can be said that their frolicsome natures also speak to their "roles" as healing animals; in fact, otter skins have been traditionally chosen to make pouches for the sacred items of the Midewiwin medicine society. It is not hard to understand how play is both a balancing and a healing balm, with its infusion of lightness and laughter into a world that seems to grow only darker and more sorrowful.

We can take this teaching of Negik (Otter) and think more broadly about what it is that we might carry in our own figurative individual and collective medicine pouches that might bring healing to ourselves and to the world. Certainly, this would include such practical tools as traditional teachings, the sciences, law, even our politics and economics. While it is true that at times, some of these have contributed to our modern predicaments, we have the ability and even responsibility to creatively reinvent those elements that have not historically been effective or forward-looking, and to turn them into positive agents for change. And as we set about this heavy work, let us never forget the importance of play and lightness; to always give form to our own "otter thoughts"!

The subject matter and style of artist Mark Nadjiwan are predominantly inspired by his First Nation heritage. He is a self-taught artist, working in pen and ink.

                                         The Artist and the Art
Mark's work can be found in galleries and venues across Canada as well as private collections. His First Nation roots are in the Georgian Bay and Lake Superior regions, and he is a member of Neyaashiinigmiing Unceded First Nation. He continues to live in the Anishinabek homelands, Treaty 72 territory, with his artist wife Patricia Gray.