Mi’kmaq artist Alan Syliboy was on-hand for a meet-the-artist reception at Down to Earth Art Gallery in Antigonish Jan. 19. An exhibit of Syliboy’s work will be on display at the Gallery until Feb. 14. (Richard MacKenzie photo)

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The colourful and distinctive art of accomplished Mi’kmaq artist Alan Syliboy is currently being celebrated at Down to Earth Art Gallery in Antigonish.
The Gallery hosted a meet the artist reception Jan. 19.
“I’ve had a relationship with Down to Earth for a long time, I think at least 15 years,” Syliboy said during the reception. “It’s like we have grown together.
“Our relationship has endured all these years in a business that’s not an easy business… creating and selling art,” he added.
Born and raised on the Millbrook reserve (near Truro), Syliboy said he has probably done about three shows at the gallery which is the only place he has shown in Antigonish town and county.
“This is one of my favourite galleries because Elaine (Rhynold) and Gerard (Mason) are absolutely dedicated to my work and represent me very well,” Syliboy said. “I’m very happy to be with them.”
Syliboy noted some of the work on display is older but a couple of pieces were just completed the day of the reception.
As for how the work has changed for the veteran artist, Syliboy talked about how often he is making art and the different styles and methods he delves into.
“I make art everyday now,” he said. “Everyday for the last seven or eight years, so it’s full-time.
“And yes, it changes, because I’m using different mediums, I have different ideas. I’m working in metal, I make films – documentaries, animation – and we also have a band, so I make music as well with my band Lone Cloud.”
Over the last three decades, Syliboy has traveled all over the world with his artwork. It has taken him to all parts of Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan and has seen him earn many prestigious honours and awards.
In 1999, he was commissioned by the Royal Canadian Mint to design a $200 22 karat gold coin. In 2002, Syliboy was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II golden Jubilee Medal for his contributions to the art world.
As for what is on the horizon, Syliboy said he has a lot of projects in the work and some bids in on other larger scale jobs.
“Some are bigger scale, public art projects,” he said, noting one is with the Halifax International Airport and another with a library.
Staying with libraries, Syliboy said he was pleased to do a piece for the Antigonish People’s Place Library.
“I was really happy to do a piece for the Antigonish library,” he said. “It’s a public piece which is really what I wanted.”
Syliboy’s exhibit at Down to Earth will be up until Feb. 14.