Mike Alexander is an Anishinaabe artist from Swan Lake First Nation in Manitoba. His art is inspired by the symbolism of his Ojibway roots, as well as his personal journey and his reconnection to his culture and family. He says that his art allows him to find peace and self fulfillment as he reflects on his life and experiences in the pursuit of his creativity.
Mike finds inspiration through his ancestors who made art for the generations that came after them. He says, “I am inspired by the thought that my people made paintings with me and my survival in mind.”
In addition to his visual arts career, Mike is also a gifted writer and poet. His poetry and articles have appeared in various magazines.
In 2020, Mike became an apprentice to master Woodland artist Mark Anthony Jacobson .
Mike Alexander’s work has appeared in many solo and group exhibitions. His first one occurring in 2017 in Victoria, BC. It was a show based on his life long passion for high contrast black and white ink drawings.
To Mike, Woodland art is a very traditional and spiritual form of art. As a survivor of the 60’s scoop, he says, “It’s about stories and teachings that I didn’t have growing up.”