bailey is a self-taught nehiyaw / michif / ukrainian artist creating from their home in beautiful Snuneymuxw territory on so-called Vancouver Island.
tanisi! bailey
nitsiyihkâson, ekwa snuneymuxw askiy ohci niya. niwahkômâkanak ohci nîpisîhkopâwiyinînâhk. nôhkompan ohci sîsîp-sâhkihkanihk. niya nêhiyaw ayâhkwêw, apihtawikosisan, ekwa opîtatowew. nitsanak isiyihkâsowinak morrissette, gariepy, iyahsoo, pooquasequayp, brabant, starblanket, desmarais, ewka parenteau. ekosi mâka, kinanâskomitinawaw.
Hello! My name is bailey, and I am from Snuneymuxw territory. My relations are from Beardys & Okemasis Cree Nation. My late grandmother was born in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan. I am an agender cree, metis, and ukrainian. My family’s names are Morrissette, Gariepy (often seen as Guardipee, Guardipy, Gardipy), Iyahsoo, Pooquasequayp, Brabant, Starblanket, Desmarais, and Parenteau. That’s it, I am grateful to you all.
bailey is an emerging, self-taught artist, passionate about bright colours, Indigenous sovereignty, and identity; these themes are often at play within their works. they are also a self-proclaimed pop-culture smark.
they are a neurodivergent [diagnosed ADHD / undiagnosed autism] disabled [chronically ill, hypothyroidism, undiagnosed Ehlers Danlos Syndrome / autoimmune issues] queer [bisexual, agender/gendervoid], activist who fights for Indigenous sovereignty, disability rights, and queer/trans rights.
with plenty of experience working in a variety of mediums, they dabble in everything from sculpture and beadwork, illustration and comic arts, to painting and textiles.
a published writer since 2006, bailey has worked for various newspapers and magazines throughout so-called british columbia. their writing has appeared in Off-Centre Magazine, Other:_, Capital News, Kelowna Daily Courier, and alive magazine.
beyond their writing, they’ve created pieces for The Kakichihiwewin Project under Seeding Sovereignty, Vancouver Comic Arts Festival, Together Apart, the Manitoba Harm Reduction Network, Ilona Verley, Blondie’s Beauty Salon, Harper Collins, as well as the podcast Unsettling.
in addition, their work has been displayed at open space gallery in victoria, and they are proud to be the illustrator for an upcoming children’s book written by Willie Poll and published by Medicine Wheel Publishing.
since november 2018, bailey has been an avid beader and their work has been used in several fundraisers and community events. additionally, they run an Indigenous beading circle on Discord.
prior to moving back to Nanaimo, they often volunteered with the 2-Spirit Collective at the Urban Native Youth Association, and dream of engaging with the community in their hometown in similar ways.
when they are not working on commissions and illustrations, they are beading full-time and creating clothing / stickers / accessories for sale on their online shop.
their interests vary greatly from science fiction, horror, and wrestling to language revitalization, Indigenous sovereignty, and land and water protection.
alternately, when they aren’t working on their art or writing, they enjoy playing video games, playing board games, running a Vampire the Masquerade chronicle, baking, watching movies and wrestling, and hanging out with their cats and dog (and husband).
Professional Experience:
Upcoming Projects:
Manitoba Harm Reduction Network, Illustrator, Winnipeg, MB
Harper Collins, Illustrator, New York, NY
The Capilano Review, Contributor, Vancouver, BC
carte blanche, Contributor, QB
2022
Minnow: The girl who was part fish, Illustrator, written by Willie Poll, published by Medicine Wheel Publishing, Victoria, BC
Land Acknowledgement Comic for Vancouver Comic Arts Festival, Illustrator, Vancouver, BC
The Kakichihiwewin Project under Seeding Sovereignty, Illustrator,
Portland, OR
Salmon Run, Contributor, a comic anthology curated by Cole Pauls, Vancouver, BC
2021
Unsettling podcast, Illustrator, Vancouver BC
2020
Blondie’s Beauty Salon, Illustrator, Oakland Park, FL
Together Apart, Illustrator, Vancouver BC
alive magazine, Contributor, Richmond BC
2008-2010
Kelowna Daily Courier, Contributor, Kelowna, BC
2006-2009
Off-Centre Magazine, Writer, Vernon BC
2004-2006
Other:_, Magazine, Contributor/Editor, Vernon BC
Group Exhibitions:
2022
grunt gallery, Vancouver BC
Education:
2008
Media and Cultural Studies Diploma, Okanagan University College, Kelowna BC