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Sapp was born on the Red Pheasant Reserve, south of the city of North Battleford. His mother suffered from tuberculosis and died during his adolescence.
Sapp was born on the Red Pheasant Reserve, south of the city of North Battleford. His mother suffered from tuberculosis and died during his adolescence.


Sapp was raised by his maternal grandmother and grandfather, Albert and Maggie Soonias. As a child he was often ill and spent long hours in bed. His grandmother nurtured him and encouraged his love of drawing, teaching him in the Cree ways.
Sapp was raised by his maternal grandmother and grandfather, Albert and Maggie Soonias. As a child he was often ill and spent long hours in bed. His grandmother nurtured him and encouraged his love of drawing, while teaching him in the Cree ways.


He attended the Red Pheasant school, but was often mocked and teased by the other children and teachers because of his desire to draw. His grandfather removed him from the school because he needed him on the farm. Sapp remained at home and cared for his grandmother until she died in 1963. After her death, he then moved to North Battleford to try to make a living as an artist, selling paintings door to door. In 1966 he met Dr. Allan Gonor. Dr. Gonor recognized Sapp's talent and encouraged him to paint what he knew — life on the reserve. As soon as Sapp began to paint his childhood memories, he was flooded with images, and would stay up all night painting. By the 1970s, his work was known across North America and as far away as London, England.
He attended the Red Pheasant school, but his grandfather removed him from the school because he needed him on the farm. Sapp remained at home and cared for his grandmother until she died in 1963.
==Career==
After her death, Sapp moved to North Battleford to try to make a living as an artist, selling paintings door to door. In 1966 he met Dr. Allan Gonor, who recognized Sapp's talent and encouraged him to paint what he knew — life on the reserve. Sapp began to paint his childhood memories, often staying up all night painting. By the 1970s, his work was known across North America and as far away as London, England.


In 1986, he was made an Officer of the [[Order of Canada]] "for his portrayals of Native peoples and of life on the reserve".<ref>{{OCC|1503}}</ref> In 1985, he was awarded the [[Saskatchewan Order of Merit]]. In 1975, he was elected to the [[Royal Canadian Academy of Arts]].<ref name=RCA1880>{{cite web|title=Members since 1880 |url=http://www.rca-arc.ca/en/about_members/since1880.asp |publisher=Royal Canadian Academy of Arts |accessdate=11 September 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526215339/http://www.rca-arc.ca/en/about_members/since1880.asp |archivedate=May 26, 2011 }}</ref> In 2003, he received the [[Governor General's Award for English language children's illustration]] for the book, ''[[The Song Within My Heart]]''. He died in his sleep on December 29, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/grandfather-of-saskatchewan-art-allen-sapp-dies-at-87-1.3383937|title='Grandfather of Saskatchewan art' Allen Sapp dies at age 87|date=30 December 2015|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/remembering-saskatchewan-artist-allen-sapp|title=Remembering Saskatchewan artist Allen Sapp|author =Morgan Modjeski|author2 =Saskatoon StarPhoenix More Morgan Modjeski|author3 =Saskatoon StarPhoenix|work=Saskatoon StarPhoenix}}</ref> His paintings illustrate the award-winning ''Nokum: is My Teacher'' by David Bouchard with music by the drum group [[Northern Cree]].<ref>[[David Bouchard|Bouchard, David]] (2006). ''Nokum: is My Teacher'', Postface. Illustrated by Allen Sapp. Music by Northern Cree. [[Red Deer Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-88995-367-3}}</ref>
In 1986, he was made an Officer of the [[Order of Canada]] "for his portrayals of Native peoples and of life on the reserve".<ref>{{OCC|1503}}</ref> In 1985, he was awarded the [[Saskatchewan Order of Merit]]. In 1975, he was elected to the [[Royal Canadian Academy of Arts]].<ref name=RCA1880>{{cite web|title=Members since 1880 |url=http://www.rca-arc.ca/en/about_members/since1880.asp |publisher=Royal Canadian Academy of Arts |accessdate=11 September 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526215339/http://www.rca-arc.ca/en/about_members/since1880.asp |archivedate=May 26, 2011 }}</ref> In 2003, he received the [[Governor General's Award for English language children's illustration]] for the book, ''[[The Song Within My Heart]]''. He died in his sleep on December 29, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/grandfather-of-saskatchewan-art-allen-sapp-dies-at-87-1.3383937|title='Grandfather of Saskatchewan art' Allen Sapp dies at age 87|date=30 December 2015|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/remembering-saskatchewan-artist-allen-sapp|title=Remembering Saskatchewan artist Allen Sapp|author =Morgan Modjeski|author2 =Saskatoon StarPhoenix More Morgan Modjeski|author3 =Saskatoon StarPhoenix|work=Saskatoon StarPhoenix}}</ref> His paintings illustrate the award-winning ''Nokum: is My Teacher'' by David Bouchard with music by the drum group [[Northern Cree]].<ref>[[David Bouchard|Bouchard, David]] (2006). ''Nokum: is My Teacher'', Postface. Illustrated by Allen Sapp. Music by Northern Cree. [[Red Deer Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-88995-367-3}}</ref>

Revision as of 12:26, 30 January 2018

This article is about the painter. For the musician, see Allen Sapp (composer).
Allen Sapp
File:AllenSapp.jpg
Born
Sa-pu-num Kiskayetum

(1928-01-02)January 2, 1928
Red Pheasant Cree Nation, Saskatchewan, Canada
DiedDecember 29, 2015(2015-12-29) (aged 87)
North Battleford, Saskatchewan
NationalityPlains Cree
SpouseMargaret Sapp
AwardsOrder of Canada
Saskatchewan Order of Merit
Websitewww.allansapp.com

Allen Sapp, OC, SOM (January 2, 1928 – December 29, 2015) was a Canadian Cree painter, who resided in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. His art and his story have become well known throughout Canada. His paintings tell a personal story, and many feature images of his grandmother. His work and life story have been the subject of a number of books and television documentaries.

Early life

Sapp was born on the Red Pheasant Reserve, south of the city of North Battleford. His mother suffered from tuberculosis and died during his adolescence.

Sapp was raised by his maternal grandmother and grandfather, Albert and Maggie Soonias. As a child he was often ill and spent long hours in bed. His grandmother nurtured him and encouraged his love of drawing, while teaching him in the Cree ways.

He attended the Red Pheasant school, but his grandfather removed him from the school because he needed him on the farm. Sapp remained at home and cared for his grandmother until she died in 1963.

Career

After her death, Sapp moved to North Battleford to try to make a living as an artist, selling paintings door to door. In 1966 he met Dr. Allan Gonor, who recognized Sapp's talent and encouraged him to paint what he knew — life on the reserve. Sapp began to paint his childhood memories, often staying up all night painting. By the 1970s, his work was known across North America and as far away as London, England.

In 1986, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada "for his portrayals of Native peoples and of life on the reserve".[1] In 1985, he was awarded the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. In 1975, he was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.[2] In 2003, he received the Governor General's Award for English language children's illustration for the book, The Song Within My Heart. He died in his sleep on December 29, 2015.[3][4] His paintings illustrate the award-winning Nokum: is My Teacher by David Bouchard with music by the drum group Northern Cree.[5]

References

  1. ^ Order of Canada citation
  2. ^ "Members since 1880". Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. Archived from the original on May 26, 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "'Grandfather of Saskatchewan art' Allen Sapp dies at age 87". 30 December 2015.
  4. ^ Morgan Modjeski; Saskatoon StarPhoenix More Morgan Modjeski; Saskatoon StarPhoenix. "Remembering Saskatchewan artist Allen Sapp". Saskatoon StarPhoenix.
  5. ^ Bouchard, David (2006). Nokum: is My Teacher, Postface. Illustrated by Allen Sapp. Music by Northern Cree. Red Deer Press. ISBN 978-0-88995-367-3
Other sources
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