John Sabourin
CARVER
Biography

Slavey First Nation artist John Sabourin was born and raised in the sub-arctic community of Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. John began experimenting with acrylics in 1989 but became serious about pursuing a career in fine art after completing an intensive art course in 1995. He decided to continue with formal studies, graduating in 1999 from Victoria College of Art in Victoria, British Columbia.

John is both a painter and a carver. He states his paintings often explore the complex relationships between humans and nature. As a carver, he embraces his aboriginal culture, bringing stone to life through stories and legends. John enjoys the challenge of carving and discovering the hidden figure in a piece of rock. He feels that creating art is more play than work.

John Sabourin has successfully exhibited his works of art at the Great Northern Arts Festival in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, in 1993, 1999, and 2001. During his 2004 exhibit in this festival he received the Artists Choice Award in 2004 and most recently in 2005, the Peoples Choice Award. In 1995 his art was featured in a group exhibit in Santa Fe, New Mexico and in 1998 at the Spirits of the Sun Festival in Scottsdale, Arizona. In 1999, along with a prominent Inuvialuit and Métis artist, John completed a two ton marble carving celebrating cultural diversity in Canada’s North. This magnificent work of art is on display in the Legislative Assembly Building of the Northwest Territories. His most recent commission was a beautiful granite sculpture through the French Federation of Yellowknife in 2005.

Recently, John’s works were featured in a show entitled Arctic Artistry held in New York, New York. In November of 2002, he was invited to Australia to participate in a duo exhibit with a prominent Australian aboriginal artist. In May of 2005, John was given an Honorary Fine Arts and Crafts Certificate through Aurora College in Yellowknife, NT. With John Sabourin’s obvious artistic talents and self dedication, his list of accomplishments has just begun.