Miikaan – A Leland Bell Exhibit

MIIKAAN – A Leland Bell Exhibit is a body of artwork that the artist created during the Covid-19 pandemic. The artist describes this body of work as a creative expression of a journey through life. The exhibition features a major work, Miikaan, comprising four painted panels, installed side by side, to create a work 32 feet in length. The work Maasoweh features five components representing the binary code (zero-one-zero-one-zero).

Artist Biography

Leland Bell is an Anishinaabe artist from Wikwemikong Unceded First Nation. He is part of the Loon Clan and a second-degree member of the Three Fires Midewiwin Society. He graduated from Laurentian University with a degree in Native Studies and later received an Honorary Doctorate in letters from his alma mater.

In 1972, Bell was influenced by the Indigenous Group of Seven at the Manitou Arts Foundation on Schreiber Island and discovered his personal style. He started painting professionally in 1976. He is frequently inspired by the Woodland School and his artworks often depict themes of nurturing, learning, peace, and serenity, with the sacred circle appearing as a major recurring motif. Bell has taken part in group exhibitions in Ontario, B.C. and Switzerland and has received international recognition from private collectors, art galleries, and museums in Europe, Asia, Australia, the U.S. and Canada.

This exhibition would not be possible without funding from our generous sponsors: