Octopus Bag: Métis Beadwork by Gregory Scofield

Abstract

Artwork Description:

Black wool stroud, blue cotton twill binding tape, antique Venetian seed beads, antique metal faceted beads, wool yarn tassels, wool yarn cord, antique glass pony beads, lined with muslin-cotton fabric. Creation: 2025; Gregory Scofield.

Artist Bio:

Gregory Scofield is of Red River Métis ancestry whose family roots can be traced to the historic Métis community of Kinosota-Reedy Creek, Manitoba. He has taught Creative Writing and First Nations and Metis Literature at Brandon University, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, the Alberta University of the Arts and was most recently an associate professor in the Department of English at Laurentian University. He has served as writer-in residence at the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg and Memorial University of Newfoundland. Further to writing and teaching, Scofield is also a skilled bead-worker, and he creates in the medium of traditional Metis arts. He continues to assemble a collection of mid to late 19^thcentury Cree-Metis artifacts, which are used as learning and teaching pieces.