artist biography

Dr. Joane Cardinal-Schubert

Canadian [1942-2009]
Alberta Society of Artists, Royal Canadian Academy of Arts

Joane Cardinal Schubert was born 1942 in Red Deer Alberta. She was an award-winning artist inspired by her Kainai ancestry. Joane was an influential curator, poet and director of indigenous theatre and art. Her works often brought to light contemporary political issues such as indigenous sovereignty, cultural appropriation, and environmental issues. Cardinal Schubert’s work included hand-tinted prints, paintings, drawings, and mixed-media work. She attended the Alberta College of Art (now the Alberta College of Art and Design) from 1962 to1967, studying painting, printmaking, and multimedia. After beginning a BA at the University of Alberta in 1973, she transferred to the University of Calgary that same year. She majored in painting and printmaking and graduated with a BFA in 1977.

Joane Cardinal-Schubert wished to create awareness of indigenous knowledge and spirituality. Joanes’ style of painting used a lot of colour in a contemporary approach to images akin to ancient petroglyphs; as her style evolved, red became a particularly important colour in her work.

In 1986 she became the fourth woman to be made a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. In 1993, she was awarded the Commemorative Medal for her contribution to the arts. In 2002, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, and in 2003 was granted an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Calgary.

Cardinal-Schubert’s work has been included in more than twenty-six solo exhibitions across Canada, the United States and Europe. Cardinal-Schubert received the Inspire Award in the Art category in 2007. She was honoured at Red Crow College on the Kainai Reserve in southern Alberta, where she was presented with an Eagle Feather in recognition of the Foundation Award. The Joane Cardinal-Schubert High School in Calgary was named in her honour. Joane Cardinal-Schubert passed away September 2009.