From the Beginning was developed during Chris Chipak’s winter residency at Wanuskewin, where he spent several weeks working primarily in acrylic. The residency gave him space to revisit Cree stories, and create works that speak to them.
The title speaks to both a personal milestone and a way of thinking about creation. This moment marks the realization of a long held goal of becoming a full time artist, while also recognizing that there is no single starting point. Across the exhibition, there are themes of connection and relationship that move naturally through the paintings and connect each one together.