The Artistic Journey of Terry McCue
Terry McCue, born on February 18, 1945, on the Curve Lake Reserve in Ontario and passed away on May 5, 2024, was a distinguished Ojibway artist whose vibrant, spiritually-infused paintings captured the magical relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Self-taught as a painter, McCue developed his artistic skills by observing his cousin, renowned Ojibway artist Arthur Shilling, who remained a significant influence throughout his career. After moving to Alberta in 1976, McCue balanced his work as a facilitator training substance abuse workers in Indigenous communities across Canada with his growing artistic practice, initially working as a freelance illustrator creating posters, book covers, and illustrations for addiction manuals.
McCue's Distinctive Artistic Vision
McCue's artwork, exemplified by the vibrant blue horse with red spots displayed in the image, embodied his distinctive Ojibway perspective on the natural world. His paintings often featured animals depicted in unexpected, vivid colors and spiritual contexts—"rainbow moose" and "bears with spirit guardians"—reflecting his belief that animals are relatives with their own integrity and cultures deserving protection.
These colorful, spiritually-rich portrayals invited viewers to embrace new perceptions and make an "imaginative leap into the world of the indigenous." McCue's teepee paintings similarly explored the universal human concept of home and the desire to exist within spaces of beauty, all reflecting his deep-seated belief that "we are magical beings living in a magical world."
Legacy of Terry McCue
Before his death from cancer on May 5, 2024—coincidentally Red Dress Day—McCue had established himself as an important voice in contemporary Indigenous art. His efforts to increase awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women were particularly significant, with his public collection achieving acclaim and sparking crucial conversations around this pressing issue.
Represented by Canada House Gallery since 1995, McCue's work can be found in numerous private and corporate collections throughout Canada and the United States, leaving behind a legacy that continues to invite viewers to reconsider their relationship with the natural world and Indigenous perspectives.