 Hugh
McKenzie was born on the Ojibway Reserve on
Bear
Island
,
Lake
Temagami
, which is still his home and studio. He attended
Temagami
Public School
but did not proceed past grade 7. He moved to
Hull
,
Quebec
, where he lived with Benjamin Chee Chee, another
Bear
Island
painter. They learned from one another. The Canadian
Government would buy all the art they would produce through the
Canadian Indian Markets Service. They had art shows in
Ottawa
. Chee Chee became famous through a mural he did for Expo 67.
They painted one day a week, because they did not have to worry
about selling their work. Hugh did stencils for several
paintings, which after Chee Chee would touch up, were sold under
Chee Chee's name, as Benjamin commanded a higher price. Hugh
and Benjamin found life in the
Capital
City
challenging and drifted into alcoholism and substance abuse.
Both were jailed at various times, but Benjamin could not handle his
despair and died in jail. After Benjamin's death, several
writers approached Hugh to get information for a book on Chee Chee,
but Hugh would not cooperate, for he would not endorse stories that
were not true. David John Smith was Hugh's first agent,
contacting him after Chee Chee's death, and arranged tours and shows
across
Canada
. Several Canadian galleries helped bring Hugh into
prominence.
"Yorkville [in
Toronto
] was the most expensive" he says; "I got exposure but
didn't make much money." Returning to
Bear
Island
, Hugh had a partner, Dianne, for eight years until the relationship
ended. Hugh turned to AA for help; now totally reformed from
his drinking habits, he leads a vigorous life of painting, music and
design engagements for several Canadian Companies, including a jay
painting for the Toronto Blue Jays. He is buying a
professional laser printer, and intends to print his own cards,
paintings and T-shirts, as well as doing job printing for the
Reserve and the town of
Temagami
. His home/studio on
Bear
Island
is open to the public, but it is best to phone in advance because
Hugh is frequently on business trips and also puts in time in the
summer at a permanent art show in Temagami. Hugh continues to
perform his music for fund-raising events for the Cancer Society in
Temagami.
"Part of myself goes into every painting," he says.
"Art is a gift; I had no formal training other that watching my
father [Donald] craft toys out of wood he got in the bush. I
can still see and feel his hands at work. Such inspiration
from turning wood into lovable objects." Hugh likes to
blend colours into clean flowing lines which are relaxing - as in
his paintings of flying geese. "My lines suggest
serenity" he says. In addition to his printing venture,
he intends to devote more time to his music. He says he has to
stay in the North to do his work; "I couldn't draw or do my
music like this in the city. Here is where I belong."
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