'Mi'kmaq Rain' - Acrylic on Canvas - by Jorandi Kisiku Joseph Randolph Bowers

This piece captures a sacred moment at a summer gathering, where the coming rains are not a storm, but a profound blessing that affirms the belief that water is life. An exceptional work from the artist's acclaimed Legacy Collection.

Collection: Legacy Collection
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 60 x 45 x 3.5 cm (approx. 23.6 x 17.7 in.)
Year: 2013
Condition: Excellent. Restored by the artist's studio (documentation included).
Provenance: Includes a complimentary copy of a published scholarly paper detailing the work's exhibition history and significance.

Story & Narrative Significance

The scene is set at a vibrant summer gathering, with wigwams gathered in a traditional circle, symbolising community and unity. The sky opens not with fury, but with a gentle, life-giving rain—a celebrated and sacred blessing. Within the warmth of the wigwams, families gather around crackling fires, their faces illuminated by the flames as they share stories passed down through generations. This is a depiction of happy times, of deep connection to the land, to culture, and to one another.

This piece received a careful, in-studio repair by the artist to mend a small tear on the reverse of the canvas. The area was stabilised using standard studio materials and techniques to ensure the long-term integrity of the artwork. The repair is not visible from the front, and the painting's appearance is unaffected. A photograph of the canvas patch is included with the work's documentation. The restoration is noted in the artwork's Certificate of Custodial Provenance, providing a complete and transparent history.

As a significant work from the artist's Legacy Collection, this work's importance is underscored by its exhibition history and the accompanying published paper. It is a profound exploration of ancestral memory and the enduring spirit of the Mi'kmaq people.