Searching for Jedrick | Jedrick Tho­rassie

Graffiti Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of our new exhibit, Searching for Jedrick, featuring artwork by Jedrick Thorassie.

Searching for Jedrick will be on display at Graffiti Gallery from March 3, 2023, to April 24, 2023. The opening reception will take place on Friday, March 3, 2023, from 7:00 – 10:00 pm at Graffiti Gallery, 109 Higgins Avenue. The artist will be in attendance with an artist talk at 8:00 pm. Admission is free with a donation of a nonperishable food item.

Searching for Jedrick features artwork from artist Jedrick Thorassie. Thorassie is a self-taught artist from Tadoule Lake, Manitoba, currently residing in Winnipeg. He grew up in foster care, mostly in Thompson, Manitoba. He draws and paints in many different mediums, including pencil, acrylic, and watercolour. His influence stems from other artists and painters, pop culture and music. His aesthetic is thought-provoking, with subject matter reflecting his Dene culture, natural landscapes, and relevant political issues.

“I knew I was an artist before I knew much else about myself; I am self-taught. I am Dene from the community of Tadoule Lake, and I am currently based in Winnipeg. My subjects vary from landscapes, portraits, and art depicting Indigenous subjects and issues.

As an artist who is still developing a style, my art is created from the idea that all my works are studies. I strive to teach myself all aspects of art: lighting, portraiture, landscapes and perspective, and the use of different colour pallets. I am heavily influenced by many artists, notably Vincent Van Gogh, Francis Bacon, Zdzislaw Beksinski, Michaelangelo, and Norval Morrisseau.

My goal as an artist is to bring attention to issues facing Indigenous people. I paint with the intention of expressing myself and sharing this with the world.”

Graffiti Art Programming Inc. is a not-for-profit community art centre dedicated to celebrating the many roles that the arts play in the lives of all Manitobans and is committed to enhancing the cultural well-being of communities and neighbourhoods.

For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact Kerri Parnell,  Gallery Coordinator, Graffiti Art Programming Inc.
at 204.667.9960 or info@graffitigallery.ca, kparnell@graffitigallery.ca or visit www.graffitigallery.ca.