Eddy Cobiness
(1933-1996) - Artist Biography
Eddy Cobiness was born in Warroad, Minnesota and raised on Buffalo Pint Reserve, Manitoba. Between 1954 and 1957, Cobiness served in the United States Army, where he became a Golden Gloves boxer and continued to draw and sketch during his leisure time. In 1980, he served as chairman of the First Annual Great Peoples PowWow in Sprague, Manitoba. He has also published his illustrations in two books: Alphonse Has an Accident (1974) and Tuktoyaktuk 2-3 (1975).
An Ojibway artist, Cobiness participated in several exhibitions as a member of the Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporated (PINAI) throughout the 1970s, including: Canadian Indian Art ’74, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto (1974), Indian Art ’75, Woodland Cultural Centre, Brantford (1975); and Fierté sur toile: Tableaux par sept artistes indiens canadiens / Colours of Pride: Paintings by Seven Professional Native Artists, Dominion Gallery, Montreal (1975).
His work is held in many prominent private collections worldwide including those of former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Queen Elizabeth II, and former Manitoba Premier Edward Schreyer. His work is found in several public collections including: Canadian Museum of History (QC); Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (ON); McMichael Canadian Art Collection (ON); Royal Ontario Museum (ON); and Woodland Cultural Centre (ON).
“To me, being an artist is in itself life’s greatest gift which is an honour and to which I am greatly thankful. For many years I have worked as an artist, enjoyed it and considered it a great privilege and duty to pass on my talent to others, artists yet unborn, dreams yet unrealized.” – Eddy Cobiness, circa 1981.
-Biography & Quote c/o 7: The Professional Native Indian Artists Inc., Curated by Michelle LaVallee, Mackenzie Art Gallery, 2014.
