Allen Morrow began painting when he was 28 years old. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

First Nations

Painting part of Morrow’s healing as a residential school survivor

Jun 18, 2021 | 10:22 AM

Leading up to National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 larongeNOW has features on Indigenous professionals, storytellers, entertainers, artists and others.

Check out the Indigenous tab at the top of our main page.

Allen Morrow was only six years old when he was gifted a multi-coloured pen during a Christmas gathering at Molanosa. Little did he know that special pen would ultimately spark his interest in art.

“It was a type you can click and all four colours come out individually,” he recalled. “That was my gift and I remember that clearly because I was able to draw with it and write. It wasn’t until years later that this pen came to mind. I guess that’s where I really started my art career. When I was 28, that’s about the time that pen memory came around. That was the greatest gift in life actually, for me, because with that pen, I was able to open up the healing process of where we are at in life today.”

A member of Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Morrow was born in La Ronge but attended residential school in Timber Bay as a child. He said his memories from there and experiences tend to come out through his artwork and some of his images portray broken families, the jail system and alcoholism. Morrow explained those aspects are a hurtful part of the past and it is part of his healing process to put it on canvas.

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Morrow also paints calming scenes on a holistic level, as well as symbolically and spiritually. He currently paints in acrylic, but he started out with watercolour.

“I try and use bright colours to lighten my past as a survivor of Timber Bay residential,” Morrow said. “It’s a contrast between a dark area of life and the bright present of our future. It’s getting better.”

Until Aug. 9, Morrow will have two paintings on display at Government House in Regina as part of an exhibit called From La Ronge: Get To Know Us. One is of a woodpecker called Backyard Visitor and it symbolizes Northern Saskatchewan. The second painting is called Commitment and showcases two birds on an island. It represents togetherness, wholeness, relationships and being at peace with one another.

Backyard Visitor shows a woodpecker and symbolized the North. (La Ronge Arts Council/Facebook)

Commitment is about togetherness and wholeness. (La Ronge Arts Council/Facebook)

Morrow is also known for his willingness to demonstrate and teach others to paint. In 2019, he partnered with the La Ronge Arts Council for a mural located in downtown La Ronge on the urban reserve. Morrow was in charge of the design, while high school students and others in the community brought his vision to life.

“I feel good when I can work with people, whether it be youth or adults showing each other how to paint, what methods can be used,” he said. “I give a lot of credit to the people who have helped me in the past. I have so much to learn, we all do. The other artists have given me so much advice over the years and made me strong as a person.”

Allen Morrow was heavily involved with the creation of this mural in downtown La Ronge representing the community’s commitment to reconciliation. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Morrow does much of his artwork at home and he has a small space in the basement where he likes to paint. He also sometimes paints outdoors or at the kitchen table. Aside from painting, Morrow also teaches others how to play the guitar and has written poetry he’d like to share with others soon.

As for advice for other painters, he said keep going and don’t give up.

“Try various mediums,” he said. “Start out with a pencil, advance to black little markers, then paint. Just keep going. Carry on.”

For more stories celebrating National Indigenous History Month and Peoples Day click here.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno