Island-raised artist showcases P.E.I., N.W.T. heritage in new show
Contemporary woodland artist John Rombough grew up on P.E.I., and he's com‐ ing home to show his latest artwork on the Island.
Rombough was born in Sioux Lookout, Ont. When he was three, he and his two old‐ er sisters — Rose and Bernadette — were adopted by Carol and Lyall Rombough.
He eventually re-connect‐ ed with his birth father, Alfred Catholique, in the community of Lutselk'e in the Northwest Territories.
"My work is inspired by an‐ cestral lands up North. I went back to re-learn my Dene cul‐ ture. And being out on the land you're so connected ... to feel that energy. Just captur‐ ing that on canvas," he said.
"P.E.I. is where I grew up and it feels like home ... I feel the Island is where John grew up and feels at home. The home in the North is very in‐ spiring ... but to me home is where the family is, recon‐ necting with family."
'It was inspiring' Rombaugh and his sisters grew up in Breadalbane, and he says the kids spent a lot of time in nature — part of what inspires his art today.
"Growing up with the colours and changing of the seasons ... we grew up walking on the nature trails, and the creek too, and just being out on the land. It was was inspir‐ ing."
His most recent works fo‐ cus on the changing of the seasons — animals and mi‐ gration patterns, depicting the changes from fall and win‐ ter.
"A painting is like looking through a rock and seeing what's inside a rock, and what's alive. You know, everything has a spirit. So you're looking through each animal or each person and seeing the vibration of colours that represent differ‐ ent stages they go through in their lives. Like a colour trans‐ formation," he said.
"I feel my work is very colourful but soothing at the same time, and has good teachings and there are also stories that go with each painting that goes with hon‐ ouring the land and the cul‐ ture."
Rombough's exhibi‐ tion opens October 18 at the
Gallery at Carr's Oyster Bar in Stanley Bridge, and runs to October 23.