Carl Beam was born in M’Chigeeng (West Bay) on Manitoulin Island in 1943. Of Ojibwe descent, the artist was sent to residential school as a child. He would later complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria as well as pursue post-graduate work at University of Alberta. His work, ranging from media such as drawing to installation and photo transfer to ceramics has been exhibited throughout North America as well as in Europe and China. Beam’s work is found in major collections including the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Vancouver Art Gallery. In 2005, Carl Beam was awarded the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts.
He died in M’Chigeeng on Manitoulin Island on July 30, 2005.
(1943 - 2005)