About Ritchie Sinclair
(b. 1957, Thunder Bay, Canada)
Caught between the reverberating values of two cultures yet belonging to neither one, Sinclair’s work is a hybrid, borrowing from the strengths of each culture to create a foundation of insight that provides a significant message to both. The art of Ritchie Sinclair is the story of the greater inclusive family of Humanity; which goes beyond borders, boundaries and bloodlines. His art expresses a profound sense of perfection, resolution, balance and harmony. His colourful paintings exhibit sensually rich archetypes that resonate with a profound, yet simple message.
His works have been displayed at prominent events throughout his successful career. These include; Arts Against Apartheid in 1986, where, at the request of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, his two-part work entitled; 'Lighthouse' was showcased at all the major events and gatherings. In 1994, Mr. Sinclair's mural; "The Meeting Place", a 21' X 16', 28 canvas, cross-cultural dynamo of vibrant imagery and colour was featured for the first Toronto International Pow Wow. In December 2001, thousands of Sinclair’s “Heartfelt Crests” were distributed at various ceremonies during the "Canada Loves New York" initiative.
Beyond exhibiting his work for the public, Sinclair feels his most satisfying contribution to the world is in his work with young people. He often visits Toronto area schools to initiate co-creative art projects with children so that they may also learn to experience and express their own creative potential.
As a spirit-driven creator, Sinclair believes that we are all a part of the great Earthship; each of us a steward of its destiny, each of us intimately connected to one another by the common thread of our humanity, and that it is our shared privilege to create the world we want.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
- 2008 - Solo Exhibition - "Spirit" - Scollard Street Gallery, Toronto.
- 2004 - "The Inspirational Spirit" - The Omega Centre, Toronto
- 2001 - "Stardreamer - Pen & Inks" - Original Papers Gallery, Toronto
- 1997 - "The Meeting Place Exhibition" held at BCE Place, Toronto
- 1995 - " Spirit Unearthed" - The Omega Centre, Toronto
- 1995 - "Alpha-Omega, A 21st Century Vision Quest", Ontario educational school tours.
- 1994 - "The Art of Bridging, 1994" - The Omega Centre, Toronto
- 1993 - "In the Spirit of Harmony" - Won Tai Sin Temple, Markham, Ontario
- 1992 - "Angelic Alchemy" - The Omega Centre, Toronto
- 1990 - "Africanadiana" - Second Story, Toronto
- 1987 - "The Rabbit and the Resurrection - Gallery St. Luke, Toronto
- 1984 - "Celestial Symbolism" - Synchron Associates, Toronto
- 2015 - "The Nature of Spirit" - Galerie Pierre Léon, Toronto
- 2014 - "Spirit Island" - La Boheme, Toronto
- 2014 - "Lovescapes" - La Boheme, Toronto
- 2014 - "Inspired by Love" - La Boheme, Toronto
- 2013 - "Artists Exposed" - Georgina Arts Centre, Sutton, Ontario
- 2010 - "Eclipsing Winter" - The Strada, Toronto
- 2006 - " Sole Vishuns" - Canadian Institute for the Blind, Toronto
- 2006 - "Convergence" - C.A.M.H. for Dare and Elder Vern Harper, Toronto
- 2012 - The Red Bear Healing Home, to create the "Red Bear Healing Vision", Nova Scotia
- 2004 - The Canadian Labour Congress, to create a national Earth Day Poster, Ottawa
- 2003 - The United Church of Canada, to create a recreation centre mural, Toronto
- 2000 - "Creative Embroidery Inc., to provide images for clothing, Vancouver, B.C.
- 1997/2015 - The Algonquin Tea Company, to illustrate various Organic Teas, Golden, Ontario
- 1989 - Second Story Inc., to create art depicting ancient shamanism in Africa, Toronto
- 1989 - Kahu Corp. to create 28 paintings for the corporate sponsors of Toronto's Skydome.
- 1988 - Tridel Corp., to create "The Birches", a condominium mural, Scarborough, Ontario.
Selected Artistic Initiatives
- 1997 - Sinclair's "Heartfelt Remembrance Crests" were worn by 50,000+ attending services for Princess Diana & Mother Teresa in 1997. Working in liaison with the Canadian Govt. in Sept 1999 the Heartfelt Crests were worn by those attending Swissair Flight 111 memorials in Nova Scotia and by those attending the "Canada Loves New York" initiatives of December 2001
- 1995 - "Alpha-Omega, A 21st Century Vision Quest" was the centerpiece painting for 1995 Earthday celebrations at Toronto City Hall.
- 1994 - "The Meeting Place", a 28 panel mural was chosen as the centerpiece of the First International Toronto Pow Wow, held at Toronto's Skydome.
- 1990 - "Aftershock" a painting depicting the global village response to the Chernobyl disaster was presented in association with the Children of Chernobyl Fund at Convocation Hall, Toronto, to the people of Chernobyl.
- 1986 - "Lighthouse, A Beacon of Hope in a time of Despair", a two-panel anti-apartheid painting toured the Greater Toronto Area with Archbishop Desmond Tutu including Harbourfront, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, St. Paul's Church, Toronto and St. Matthews Church, Markham, Ontario.
- Education & Teaching
- 2014 - Facilitator/Lecturer, "Gathering of Our Voices", aboriginal conference, Vancouver.
- 2007 - Resident Artist and facilitator, McMichael Canadian Collection, Kleinburg, Ontario
- 1987 to present - Guest lecturer and facilitator, working with groups of young people in primary and secondary schools, Ontario, Canada
- Ruffo, Armand Garnet: "Man Changing into Thunderbird", September 2014, book, p. 232-284
- Sinclair, Ritchie R., "Igniting the Spirit Within", Vitality Magazine, Dec 1 2012, Canada
- Sinclair, Ritchie R., "Art as Medicine", Vitality Magazine, June 1 2012, Canada
- Sinclair, Ritchie R., "Woodland Gold. A 21st Century Guide to the Woodland Art Movement", 1999/updated 2006, ebook, www.woodlandgold.com