Author: Sam Zimmerman
Zimmerman’s work explores his Ojibwe heritage by preserving oral histories handed down from elders while also reflecting the artist’s personal experiences and learnings in nature by incorporating the landscapes of Lake Superior’s North Shore, where he and generations of his ancestors have lived. His work features Northland creatures such as moose, loons, wolves, and fish as well as the night sky and native flora. Zimmerman preserves the Ojibwe storytelling tradition, reimagining the symbolism of the clan animals in natural North Shore landscapes. His work is infused with the color theories of the abstract and expressionism movements while also promoting environmental stewardship.
Following My Spirit Home features more than 80 vibrant and colorful images accompanied by stories, mostly based on tales Zimmerman’s grandfather told him or from his own experiences in nature along the north shore of Lake Superior. The stories are presented in both English and Ojibwemowin with the goal of advancing language revitalization.