Feature artist for August 2021: William Roy

(ANNews) – The stunning image on the cover of this month’s Alberta Native News is entitled “Wise One” and it is a creation of contemporary artist William Roy.

Roy is a talented Saskatchewan-born, Métis artist whose art ranges from whimsical to dark and from simplistic to complex reflecting his many layers of emotions and experiences. Roy has a past to overcome and future that has no limit.

“I discovered my artistic ability with a crayola crayon and a clean kitchen wall when I was just five years old,” explained Roy, with a glint in his eye. “I guess I’ve pretty much had a pen or pencil or paintbrush in my hand ever since. I know that my work is appreciated in some circles and though some have said they find it a bit dark, there is the lighter side that keeps me prodding forward, seeking a path to a better way of life that includes my children, my culture and my freedom.”

Roy’s family, like so many other Indigenous families in Canada, has been severely affected by the Indian Residential School era, and over the years he made a lot of bad choices. But he has worked hard to turn his life around and control his demons; his art has been a stabilizing factor. Whether he’s creating a wall size mural or a small logo or over 20 years’ worth of cultural illustrations in Alberta Native News, William Roy lets his imagination soar in his art.

A selection of William’s art can be viewed at WakinaGallery.com and is available for purchase. It includes an assortment of cultural greeting cards  and a wide variety of original illustrations. Wakina Gallery is currently hosting a silent auction until September 12, 2021 that includes a number of William Roy’s original  illustrations. Click here to view the auction items. 

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