Brent Hardisty

Brent Hardisty is a Woodland-style painter working in acrylic on canvas. His spiritual name, Niiwin Binesi, means “Four Birds” in Anishnaabemowin and refers to the Thunderbird, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle and Hawk. Brent was raised in Sagamok First Nation in Northern Ontario. His work brings together the spiritual traditions of his community and the bold graphic style he developed in Toronto’s graffiti scene as a young man. Influenced by Norval Morrisseau and by artists such as James Simon Mishibinijima, Daphne Odjig and Leland Bell, he uses vivid colour and symbolic forms to explore spiritual connection, and leaves room for your own reading.