Painter
Visual artist
Cody James Houle (he/him) is an Anishinaabe independent artist. Raised in an unsafe home in the small military city of North Bay, Ontario, Houle had to generate his own sense of security and sustain his survival through a deeply intimate connection to nature and his heart’s desire to create something meaningful in this life. Growing up with intergenerational trauma and colonialism, Houle felt shame and guilt about being Native; now, his art allows him to show pride and strength in being an Indigenous man.
While drawn to abstract visualizations and animate florals, it is woodland paintings that resonate most for Houle and his sense of his culture. Houle believes it is important to share art to inspire hope and encourages anyone (especially youth!) to create for the sake of creating; to express themselves and give expression to their lives because Indigenous life is art!
My artwork is a representation of emotions, stories, and life experiences as an Indigenous man. My work is my voice and way to express myself freely. As an artist I do not box myself into the work I create, I am known as an Indigenous artist who is pushing boundaries and pushing the thought of what Indigenous art is.
Connection Between Elders and Young Leaders
