Art Card Mark Nadjiwan To Dwell in Two Worlds (Dragonflies)

 To Dwell in Two Worlds

Dragonfly, or Oboodashkwaanishiinh to the Anishinaabek, lives its life among two realms. Born of water, as you can see represented in the artwork by the magenta-coloured eggs to the lower left, it spends most of its life there in nymph form after hatching. Following its final moult, it lives out its short adult life in the earthly domains of land and air, returning to the water to lay its eggs; thus, ensuring the next generation.

The continuance of the life-force throughout their life cycle - from eggs to nymphs and finally to mature dragonflies -- is rendered by way of the magenta-coloured eyes. Also depicting their dual natures are the dominant colours of their two worlds reflected in their bodies -- the blue of the aquatic realm and the sandy brown of the land.

As always, it is wise to learn the lessons provided by our fellow creatures.

In this case, we can all be reminded of the importance of "dwelling in two worlds" as we undertake the urgent work necessary to understand and protect our fragile ecosystems. Our "two-world task" is to acquire what has come to be known as two-eyed seeing; the ability to view and study the natural world with both traditional Indigenous knowledge (one eye) and the Western sciences (the other eye). This fusion of cultural and scientific intelligences will create an enhanced approach to help ensure our success in addressing the serious environmental challenges we are faced with today. Indeed, this piece and its story were inspired by the work of Potawatomi knowledge keeper and scientist, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and her ground-breaking book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants.

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.