Spirit of the Universe – John Eric Laford

LAFORD, John Eric (1954-2021) 
“Spirit of the Universe”
Acrylic on canvas 1978
Signed and dated on the lower right: John Laford 

Titled on the reverse 117x79cm – 46×31″

Born on the West Bay of Manitoulin Island in Ontario, John Eric Laford was a celebrated Anishinaabe Canadian artist who passed away in 2021. The artist’s heritage was Ojibwe/Anishinaabe First Nations. John Eric Laford was Inspired by the Ojibwe cultural legends and stories of Manitoulin Island. Laford was the grandson of hereditary Chief Dominic Migwans and Anne Commanda. Laford studied art at Algonquin College in Pembroke, Ontario, as well as pottery with the Zuni peoples at The Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He also spent considerable time painting with west coast indigenous artists in British Columbia and with artists in New York and Spain.

John Eric Laford interpreted visions, stories, and legends of his elders through his magnificent paintings. Laford used various materials including paper, birch bark, canvas, pine, cedar, and pipestone, as surfaces to depict his stories in paint. His works are poignant studies of all creation, including the spirits, elders, animals, birds, and plants. Laford’s paintings offer vivid colour and intricate geometric compositions to narrate his stories of the animal and spirit world.

In 1989 to 1990, John Eric Laford was selected as one of only two First Nations artists by Canada Council, Visual Arts Section, for the National and International Studies Art Program. He received a Canada Council award, which enabled the artist to travel and gain exposure in Canada, the United States, and Spain. His artistic skills were evaluated by the Institute of Contemporary Art Museum in New York. In 1995 to 1996, he was a sessional lecturer on Ojibwe art and culture at Algoma University, Sault Ste. Marie.

His paintings can be found in museums across Canada, the U.S. and Australia, as well as in numerous private collections across the globe.

From 1977 to 2010, John Eric Laford’s paintings have been shown in New York, USA, Vienna, Austria, Fribourg, Switzerland, Bad Nauhein Germany, Ibiza, Spain, Sante Fe, New Mexico, Petoskey, Michigan, Vancouver, and Montreal.