Gallery Exhibit

The late Elvis Antoine (1957 to 2023) is from the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.

Elvis displayed artistic talent as a young man; drawing in his spare time. He expanded his abilities after attending University of Manitoba art studies. He later developed his signature “plains” style during a mentorship with Indigenous artist Jackson Beardy. Elvis’ signature style is a unique form of “Plains Art” that includes symbolism, animals and landscapes; honouring the the Dakota people.

Look for the symbolism as you view his paintings. From the titles he gave each piece to the visual cues included in the paintings, Elvis shares with us his connection to the land and his culture.

Interesting accolades/achievements:

Elvis Antoine’s work was on exhibit at the Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba and three paintings accepted into the Canadian Senate in 2023.

He starred in the documentary, La Légende du cheval blanc, playing the lead actor who sweeps the Ojibwe princess onto the back of his horse.

Elvis was an athlete, a competitive runner, who met a Canadian olympian during a road race – he finished second place to the Olympic runner.

*Jon Gerrard was a member of parliament, Secretary of State, Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party, a doctor who served as the head of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Winnipeg Children’s Hospital. He authored or co-authored over 200 scientific publications and became known in the 1980’s as an expert on the research and treatment of cancer in children. He co-authored a book based on his research of bald eagles in Northern Saskatchewan:

Jon Gerrard and Gary Bortolotti wrote the book The Bald Eagle: Haunts and Habits of a Wilderness Monarch, published by the Smithsonian Institute.