Christi Belcourt

Book excerpt: Christi Belcourt's The Conversationis emblematic of her work. Made of dots created by dipping the end of a paintbrush or knitting needle into paint and pressing it onto the canvas, the painting evokes the traditional beadwork of First Nations and Métis women. Its twining stems, flower blossoms, and root systems highlight the abiding connections of life across Turtle Island, connections that Belcourt has spent her life fighting for through her art and her advocacy. Christi Belcourtis the first book devoted exclusively to Belcourt's life and work: her early paintings showcasing the natural world's beauty and interconnectedness, her monumental "flower beadwork " paintings, and her recent collaborations with Isaac Murdoch, an Anishinaabe knowledge keeper. Drawn from a national touring exhibition, these works of art inspire reflection, provoke conversation, and call for action. The book features a powerful artist's statement by Christi Belcourt, and illuminating essays written by scholars Sherry Farrell Racette, Dylan Miner, and exhibition curator Nadia Kurd.