Ken Swan
Edmonton-born artist Ken Swan began drawing at the age of four, and his artistic career blossomed, thanks to the early encouragement of teachers who recognized his talent and potential. His works were initially mostly pen and ink sketches, but he also branched into creating wood sculptures and watercolour paintings. His work often featured characters he observed or envisioned.
He lived for 13 years at Enoch Cree Nation, west of Edmonton, then moved to St Paul, Alberta. There he freelanced as a graphic artist and cartoonist for the St Paul Journal. He studied life drawing at Vermillion College, and later enrolled as a student in the drawing program at the then-Alberta College of Art, Calgary.
In 1988, he won First Prize at the Native Art Collection Award, a juried competition sponsored by Peace Hills Trust, Edmonton. He also participated for several years in the Asum Mena (the Cree expression for “once again”) Native Arts Festival held annually in the late 1980s and early 90s at the Front Gallery, Edmonton. Ken Swan was named as first or second runner-up several times. In particular, he received praise for “The Casket” (1987), a detailed pen and ink drawing with colour wash, showing mourners at a funeral that suggests the link between mortality and immortality, and generational lineage.
In 1990, he was part of a group show, Catch the Rising Spirit, sponsored by NOVA Corporation and held in Edmonton and Calgary. Again, his pen and ink drawings of Indigenous life received accolades. In 2014, his work was displayed in a group show at Enterprise Square Galleries, part of kiyas aspin (Cree for “it’s been a long time since….”), in conjunction with the seventh and final national event for the Truth and Reconciliation commission, held in Edmonton. This exhibition was presented by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and featured works from the Alberta Art Collection (formerly known as the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Association Collection).
He lived for 13 years at Enoch Cree Nation, west of Edmonton, then moved to St Paul, Alberta. There he freelanced as a graphic artist and cartoonist for the St Paul Journal. He studied life drawing at Vermillion College, and later enrolled as a student in the drawing program at the then-Alberta College of Art, Calgary.
In 1988, he won First Prize at the Native Art Collection Award, a juried competition sponsored by Peace Hills Trust, Edmonton. He also participated for several years in the Asum Mena (the Cree expression for “once again”) Native Arts Festival held annually in the late 1980s and early 90s at the Front Gallery, Edmonton. Ken Swan was named as first or second runner-up several times. In particular, he received praise for “The Casket” (1987), a detailed pen and ink drawing with colour wash, showing mourners at a funeral that suggests the link between mortality and immortality, and generational lineage.
In 1990, he was part of a group show, Catch the Rising Spirit, sponsored by NOVA Corporation and held in Edmonton and Calgary. Again, his pen and ink drawings of Indigenous life received accolades. In 2014, his work was displayed in a group show at Enterprise Square Galleries, part of kiyas aspin (Cree for “it’s been a long time since….”), in conjunction with the seventh and final national event for the Truth and Reconciliation commission, held in Edmonton. This exhibition was presented by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and featured works from the Alberta Art Collection (formerly known as the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Association Collection).