Shadunjen van Kampen | Worldview
Shadunjen van Kampen
Worldview
EDGE GALLERY, AUGUST 4 - 26, 2023
Worldview is a group of watercolor/ink paintings that help both the artist and the viewers visualize and explore the world around us with a pre contact Yukon First Nations “lens.” In an idea inspired by the research of Tutchone scholar Dr. Ukjese van Kampen, (the artist's father) as well as from reading recorded stories told by elders such as Annie Ned and Tommy McGinty, S. van Kampen creates paintings that demonstrate what a lost worldview may have looked like. With the heavy use of symbols and different mediums to represent different worlds, “Untitled” offers a look into the forgotten reality of the people of the Yukon, examples being the existence of the Spirit, Sky and White Winter Worlds, and the powers different creatures and elements of nature can hold. The subjects in these pieces can be found wearing traditional interior Yukon First Nations face paint, tattoo designs, and clothing and are sometimes taking part in historical pre contact events such as the ambush at the Five Finger Rapids.
With the use of a clear cut, illustrative style, van Kampen encourages viewers to learn about a world that is completely different from our current one in many aspects, yet was as tangible as the one we stand in today.
SHADUNJEN VAN KAMPEN
Shadunjen van Kampen is a Northern Tutchone self-taught artist and a member of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nation. Born and raised in Whitehorse, she moved to Dawson City after graduating high school. Since then she has worked various jobs in the transport sector, such as driving tanker trucks, flying for a small charter airline, and hauling cargo in the Antarctic.
In 2022 she endeavored to bring her lifelong love of creating art to a more professional level. She had her first showing at the Yukon Riverside Arts Fest in June 2022 and began an illustration contract for her First Nation shortly thereafter, getting the ball rolling.
Her preferred medium is watercolor, which she supplements with ink and rubber block printing.
Past Exhibitions
