Negik,
Star Otter
Paul Whittam
We carry our ceremonies from generation
to generation in health.
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SEVEN Acrylic on canvas 24” x 24”
Biography
Paul Whittam is from the Sheshegwaning First Nation on Manitoulin Island. He was adopted when he was ten weeks old. It was not until adulthood that he reconnected with his birth mother. Negik, which means Otter, is the spirit name that Paul Whittam was given by an Elder during a traditional naming ceremony. He creates art under the name Star Otter in a personal approach inspired by the Ojibwe Woodland style, sometimes with his spirit animal, the otter, appearing. Mostly self-taught, Whittam attended the Georgian College Art Fundamentals program and took art courses while earning an Indigenous Studies honors degree at Trent University.
“My goal is to bring beautiful Indigenous stories to people, shared through colour, imagery and form. When I create my work there will always be explanation given as to why the pieces were made and what the images represent. I want to use colour to heal. Medicine can come in many forms and my healing takes place through my work.”
Baamaapii
Statement
Seven 150 years is more than 7 generations. The passing of generations is seen in my piece – seven generations in the trees, seven generations in the winds. Generations past, generations to come, the rising and setting of the sun on Turtle Island. We carry our ceremonies from generation to generation in health.