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PASTEL DRAWINGS - 1988
As a Pan-Native artist*, with Primal Native Contemporary** influences, Belmore addresses her art to the Canadian society, to sensitize it to the aboriginal problem. Since the very beginning, her art engages with issues like displacement, alienation and lost of identity. Her early pastel drawings are flashes into aboriginal everyday life. Through the use of vibrant colors, inspired by van Gogh and Matisse, Belmore represents the void between man and woman, caused by the intrusion of the European culture. The man in particular, is dispossessed of his identity as guide and shaman or warrior and hunter, these all were unfitting qualities for a member of the new, “civilized” society. In many of Belmore’s drawings, the observer’s attention is captured by the skirt, a blend of bright colors and patterns, which were commonly used by the Ojibwa people. Therefore, Belmore’s memories meet here, in order to protest against the oppressive rules of Canadian culture and Government, but also to give hope for a different future. This hope that Belmore offers, is a positive thinking, which belongs to “everywoman” (Thunder bay Art Gallery, 1988), probably because a woman is the one who bears in her the possibility of a new life. In these drawings, the artist’s memories of a childhood spent on the borderline of two cultures, and the denied possibility to belong to at least one of them, are the fundamental inspiration for her art. Belmore grew up without learning the Ojibwa language, because her mother wanted her to be completely assimilated-integrated into Canadian society. Thus, she was even unable to communicate with her grandmother, who did not speak English, but who, despite this was able to offer to young Rebecca a sense of safety, while sitting in her lap, embraced by warm and bright colors of her dress. The drawings reflect these memories, but above all they create a connection between memory and identity, because it is thanks to them that Belmore can nowadays speak in the name of the Ojibwa people - she’s aware that she is part of them.
* The artist is influenced by Native and not Native elements. The purpose is self-expression, without spiritual reasons, but sometimes politically engaged.
** Characterized by the use of new (not Native) materials, like plastic. It is a personal and visionary art, which gathers many meanings.
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