Benjamin Chee Chee was an Ojibway artist closely associated with the Woodland school, a First Nations group of artists. He was known for his modern, simplified linear style.

Chee Chee was born in 1944 in Temagami, northern Ontario. His childhood was tumultuous - he lost his father as an infant, and spent stretches separated from his mother while living in foster homes and reform institutions. Upon moving to Montreal in his early twenties, Chee Chee worked odd jobs and began to foster his painting practice. Upon moving to Ottawa in the late 1960s, he was reunited with his mother after a twelve year separation. Chee Chee sold his artwork informally on the street, before holding first his solo show at the Nicolas Art Gallery in 1973.

Over the next few years, Chee Chee refined his style; reducing forms to a few simple and graceful lines, and using colour sparingly, to powerful symbolic effect. Geese and swallows were his favourite subjects, often depicted in only yellow and black. These simplified forms translated well to silkscreens, and Chee Chee began to produce limited editions based on his original acrylics.

Following successful showings in Ottawa, Chee Chee’s work was exhibited in leading galleries across Canada, including the Inukshuk Gallery in Waterloo, the Wah-sa Gallery in Winnipeg, Marion Scott Gallery in Vancouver and Sea Chest Gallery in Halifax. His last show in Vancouver sold out on the first day. Just as Chee Chee was beginning to achieve widespread success, his career was cut short by his death at 33. Chee Chee’s work is included in the McMichael Collection, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the National Gallery of Canada and in a number of corporate and private collections.

Photo: Ernie Bies