Riopelle: The Call of Northern Landscapes and Indigenous Cultures
This activity reveals how encounters between Jean Paul Riopelle and Canada’s North and its Indigenous communities shaped this famous artist’s imagination. This is a unique opportunity to start a dialogue about Indigenous practices, particularly through a selection of masks made by Inuit and First Nations from the Northwest Coast.
Information
Type of activity
In-class activity with a mediator
Our mediators travel to many schools across Montreal: Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Côte-des-Neige–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Lachine, Lasalle, Le Sud-Ouest, Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Montréal-Nord, Outremont, Plateau Mont-Royal, Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, Saint-Laurent, Saint-Léonard, Verdun, Ville-Marie, Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, Côte-Saint-Luc, Hampstead, Montreal West, Town of Mount Royal and Westmount.
Virtual visit with a mediator
Cost
$230
Reservations
514-285-2000
Topics explored
Exploring the territory
Students will discover how Riopelle’s work was inspired by the northern landscape and wildlife.Creative act
Students will learn about Riopelle’s creative process and artistic influences.Encounters
Students will discover how Riopelle was inspired by his encounters, particularly with Indigenous communities.
Discussion
Students will explore works through observation exercises and games.
The workshop
Students will spontaneously experiment with the stencil technique to create a personal artwork.
Materials used:
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Gouache paints
- Pastels
The learning progression
Thanks to its encyclopedic collection, the Museum is a fertile ground for stimulating reflection on ethical issues, learning about history, discovering the diversity of the world’s cultures and developing critical-thinking skills. Beyond artistic discovery, students will build their understanding of the world at the Museum. In this activity, students will specifically learn to:
Arts All cycles
- Identify (1st cycle) or analyze (2nd cycle) ideas and concepts
- Name and situate (1st cycle) or analyze (2nd cycle) the visual repertoire and cultural references
- Appreciate works of art and cultural objects of artistic heritage
- Produce personal works of visual art
Social sciences 1st cycle
- Knowledge related to the study of an Indigenous territory
2nd cycle
- Societal choices in contemporary Quebec
- Societal choices in contemporary Quebec: social and demographic changes
- Influence of natural factors on territorial organization: North America
Religious culture and ethics 1st cycle
- First Nations and Inuit representations of the divine and mythical and supernatural beings
2nd cycle
- Religious references in arts and culture
Go more in-depth
EDUCART is an interdisciplinary pedagogical tool for Quebec teachers that was designed by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Among the many works featured on this platform, we suggest you consult The Ice Canoe by Jean Paul Riopelle on the theme of territories.
