Cultural Background: Mi’kmaq, Millbrook First Nations Reservations, Nova Scotia
Alan Syliboy was born and raised on the Millbrook First Nations Reservations in Nova Scotia, and like many others of his generation, he grew up believing that First Nations artwork was generic; or what you saw on television and other mass media sources. As a youth, feeling unsure of his talents and his identity, he found painting painful and difficult. It wasn’t until he met and studied privately with renowned Maliseet Artist, Shirley Bear, that he found his confidence and began to take his own path. He eventually found great inspiration in the petroglyphs of his ancestors that have been discovered in ancient rocks all over the Maritimes. This spiritual connection has become the driving force of his artwork over the past forty years.
Over the last four decades, his artwork has taken him all over the world to many locations in Canada, The USA, Europe and the Orient. Alan has been recognized with some of the most prestigious honours. In 1999, he was commissioned by the Royal Mint of Canada to design a $200.00 22kt Gold Coin. In 2002, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for this contribution to the art world. In 2010, Alan presented an original portrait of Grand Chief Membertou to Queen Elizabeth II. Alan was commissioned by the Vancouver Olympic Committee to paint a 30-metre long mural entitled, “People of the Dawn”. This mural was presented during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and remains on permanent display at the Trout Lake Community Centre, in Vancouver. Alan continues to be actively involved in promoting Aboriginal art, and is presently curator of the touring “Snap Shot Art Show”.
Alan has remained on the reserve in Millbrook, and has also has opened a studio where he works as well as displays his art.