Aaniin. Hello.

My name is Sharifah Marsden, I am an Anishinaabe (Ojibway) artist from the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. Since early childhood I have been directed toward a life of art and culture. I draw on my Ojibway roots and knowledge of the Woodlands style to create unique works that include everything from acrylic painting to beadwork, jewellery engraving and murals.

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"Chief Kwe Dancing"

She is kwe, she is also Chief of her people and she is dancing in celebration and ceremony.

She dances for the MMIW2S, she dances for her people, she dances for her ancestors, she dances for her descendants and she dances for those who cannot dance.

She is celebrating her life and her culture. She is matching the beat of the drum and the melodies of the the singers and song with each step.

Acrylic on canvas, 3x4'

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Handmade Engraved Heirloom Jewellery
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    β€œSHARIFAH’S WORK IS COMPLETELY UNIQUE”

    β€œShe uses Northwest Coast engraving techniques to depict symbols and motifs from her Anishinaabe heritage.”

    -Peter Lattimer Lattimer Gallery Vancouver, BC

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    "One of my fondest memories is of my mother and I sitting at the kitchen table painting late into the night, the house quiet, little ones sleeping. This is where I fell in love with painting."

    -Sharifah Marsden

    Acrylic on Birchwood Canvas Rounds

    • "SEEKING BALANCE"

      This painting is a transformative piece. It tells a story of struggle and seeking balance in life. The background is the colours of the medicine wheel, red, black, white and yellow. We are taught through the medicine wheel that we need to take care of all aspects of ourselves, emotional, mental, physical and spiritual. When these parts of ourselves are taken care of equally, when we are in balance, we can attain harmony within ourselves.

      Acrylic on birchwood canvas round. 36 x36” 
      $2500 CAD Β 

    • "SHE FOUND HER SONG"

      In this painting we see she has found her song, her song came to her. She's singing and she is celebrating because she found her voice again.Β She found the rhythm and she found the drum. That's the result of the seeking, all the hard work you do in working on yourself and working on your life, that's the gift you get, your song.

      You get to find yourself again.

      Acrylic on birchwood canvas round. 36 x36” 
      $2500 CADΒ 
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      A Deeper Look at the "Finding Balance" Series

      "Heartberry Reflections" Hand-Painted Drum

      $1,200.00
      $1,200.00
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      You know those days when you looked back on with gratitude on the love we were shown by our grandparents? Our family? Or even our close friends? The love that reflects in our memories forever is what I was reflecting on when I was making this drum.Acrylic on Elk Drum with Cedar Ring18 width x 18” height x 3.5” depth

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      Heartberry Gatherers

      The women bring their children to gather strawberries, a time of sharing, a time of renewal, celebrating the berry and also the closeness of family & sisterhood. The sweet berry that Anishinaabe people call Ode’imin, means the heart

      THIS PAINTING HAS BEEN PURCHASED FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY

      Acrylic On Canvas. 5 x 7’ | Original Painting.

      "Heartberry Memories" Hand-Painted Drum

      $1,200.00
      $1,200.00
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      This piece is called "Heartberry Memories" It is the opposite of my drum "Heartberry Reflections". This one is what is on the other side of love. It still contains love but in a different way. It tells the story of the grief and loss of love Β It's the opposite of colourful, it is black, grey and white. There is still the light that is there to carry us through grief, but it is heavy, difficult and heartbreaking. Β To lose someone that you love whether it is through ending relationships, through miles of distance, or through death. We grieve. We must travel through that grief to get to the place where we can still feel their love, our love and acknowledge that through all these ways of grieving. Love is the one thing that transcends into the spirit world. That love always remains. Eventually, in our own time in our own way, the colours return again.

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      Anishinaabe Painted Shield Series

      1 5
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      Limited Fine Art Prints

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      Deeply Meaningful Mural Projects

      Murals are a collaborative experience and wonderful reason to bring a community together, share stories and teachings. In my mural projects I want to collaborate with as many who will join me. It is important to me that apprentice local youth in all my projects to share what's been shared with me.

      I am very thankful to the many who have mentored me in my mural jounrye, in particular, Jerry Whitehead - Cree and Richard Tetrault. Please visit their websites and support their work.

      "The Ambrosia" 5 Mural Series

      Bentwood Box Charity Event

      Each year, Lattimer Gallery organizes a charity auction of cedar Bentwood Boxes, crafted by MΓ©tis/Cree artist James Michels, to support the Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA). These traditional Indigenous containers are made from a single piece of wood that has been steamed and bent into shape, showcasing intricate designs and craftsmanship. They hold historical significance as versatile storage vessels and ceremonial objects among coastal Indigenous peoples. Invited artists contribute their artwork to these boxes, with all auction proceeds donated to UNYA. In 2022, the event raised $72,419.53. Below are some of my contributions to this impactful initiative over the years.
      Brentwood Boxes

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