NATION
Mi’kmaq
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Alan Syliboy is an artist, author, musician, filmmaker, and book illustrator. He was born and raised within the Millbrook First Nation, a Mi’kmaw community located in the town of Truro, Nova Scotia. Alan’s list of accomplishments has continued to grow throughout his life, but many people are especially familiar with his beautiful and unique paintings. Here, we will share a small portion of his significant contributions to the world of art.
In 1971, Alan began his private study with influential artist and activist Shirley Bear who is an Order of Canada recipient. Four years later Alan decided to further his education in the art world and joined the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.
Since then, Alan has made huge strides towards success as an artist. He created a limited-edition Butterfly gold coin for the Canadian Mint in 1999. In 2002, he was presented with the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal. The year after that Alan was the featured artist and Aboriginal consultant for the production Drum! for CBC television. He was also involved with Muiniskw, a CBC animation special which included his artwork. Within that same year he also became a juror for the Canada Council for the Arts!
Alan has traveled worldwide, graciously sharing his gifts with us all. He traveled to France multiple times throughout his career participating in shows and trade missions. He was delegated by the Department of External Affairs of Canada to take part in a trade mission to Japan where he was joined by several other Nova Scotian companies. He obtained an agent and was involved with exportation of his works. He also took part in Art demonstrations at Ludwig Beck store in Munich, Germany.
In 2007, Alan took part in creating illustrations for the novel “The Stone Canoe: Two Lost Mi’kmaq tales,” which inspired him to continue his use of the Little Thunder character throughout his works, even co-writing a song for his band Lonecloud, called “Little Thunder.” In 2009, Alan collaborated with Nance Ackerman and Paton Francis to create the animation, “Little Thunder” for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics which presented the Little Thunder character in motion using Alan’s interesting and beautiful style. The animation showcased the true magnificence of his artwork and solidified its incredible potential. The animation was later featured in a travelling show called “Canada’s best” which will travel nationally and internationally. It has been in 40 different festivals around the world and was voted best animation in Montreal in 2011.
Alan made huge contributions to the 2010 Olympics. He was the lead artist of a group sculpture called “Keepers of the Eastern Door.” He also painted twelve breathtaking 4’x8′ panels entitled “People of the Dawn” which was later shortlisted for the Lieutenant Governor’s Masterworks Art Award.
Alan also has much experience curating different art shows. In 2009 he curated a showcase of New Brunswick artists at the Lord Beaverbrook Art Gallery, where one of his own large murals hung next to a painting done by the legendary Salvador Dali.
As Alan’s accomplishments continue, he was given an opportunity to present Queen Elizabeth II with a portrait of Grand Chief Membertou. In the same year he was the recipient of a Canada Council grant for his work in “Brainstorm,” a collaboration he did with Nancy Ackerman and Dr. Ivar Mendez.
His mural at Halifax airport, 3D Butterfly (2013), was another way to bring Mi’kmaw culture to the public.
Alan was once again short listed for the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award for:
The Thundermaker (2013) Multi-media installation, by Alan Syliboy. Nominator: David Diviney
An established Mi’kmaq artist, Syliboy’s artistic vocabulary is inspired by the indigenous petroglyphs of Nova Scotia. His immersive installation The Thundermaker is built around the recently discovered and translated Mi’kmaq legend, “The Stone Canoe,” in which the Thundermaker story is embedded. The installation begins with a circle of text panels illustrated with Syliboy’s drawings and culminates with a tipi containing a projected animation film of the story. The animation was executed under the artist’s supervision by Nova Scotia Community College Digital Animation students. The artist’s work People of the Dawn was a 2010 Masterworks Finalist.
In 2021, Syliboy curated an exhibition on funerals and death in Mi’kmaq culture, as well as a mural at the Kings County Museum in Kentville. The artist also opened his own studio in Millbrook in 2023. This year was also marked by the release of his children’s book “When the Owl Calls Your Name,” as well as the unveiling of his exhibition “Spirits of the Forest” on Mi’kmaq petroglyphs.
The artist even sent one of his works to the moon, as part of an art preservation capsule, in 2024. The exhibition “the Journey so far,” reflecting on Alan’s 50-year career, was also organized in Halifax that year.
His art will continue to proudly showcase the Mi’kmaq people, and his visions give us all a glimpse of the true beauties of his culture.
