Mohawk Warriors, Hunters & Chiefs is a ground-breaking bilingual book that explores the personal story and artwork of Juno-winning singer, songwriter, musician and performer Tom Wilson Tehoháhake. Opening at Toronto’s Cultural Goods Gallery this February, a specially organized exhibition presents a selection of his works created between 2015 and 2024, and celebrates the launch of the book.
In his early 50s, Tehoháhake accidentally discovered that he was adopted and that he was Mohawk from Kahnawake. “There’s blood memory that happened in my art. I’ve been painting really simple images since 1997. Even with a lack of identity, I was still expressing myself as an Indigenous artist, or as a Mohawk. And sure enough, now that I know that I’m a Mohawk, that sense of identity that I was lacking is now coming completely into focus in the work that I do,” he says.
The exhibition organized by esteemed curator David Liss will highlight Tehoháhake’s unbelievable journey of family secrets, personal identity and resolution. The artworks consist of faces and masks vaguely resembling those of certain Indigenous cultures or perhaps beings from some other realm. They look at once ancient and futuristic. These are the warriors, hunters, chiefs, tricksters and shamans; the characters and figures that embody myths and legends of the past and the future; the stories that connect Tehoháhake to his culture and his place in the universe.
On view Feb. 2-17, Mohawk Warriors, Hunters & Chiefs features a free public book launch and artist talk on Saturday. Feb. 3 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. The art book, published by Goose Lane Editions in both English and Mohawk, showcases over 35 full-colour images of Tehoháhake’s work. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, and guitars decorated with iconography inspired by beadwork. The art pieces also reflect on Tom’s upbringing in Hamilton, where he only had hints and dreams about his identity. The book includes an interview with Ryan McMahon on Tom’s artistic process, along with essays by Tom and curator Liss, providing a comprehensive exploration of Tehoháhake’s art and Mohawk identity.
Tehoháhake comes from a long storytelling tradition, and he has lived his life as a storyteller. The artwork featured in this exhibition is another chapter in his story. Born and raised in Hamilton, Tehoháhake is a multidisciplinary artist working in music, songwriting, literature and contemporary art. In 2023 he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada in recognition of his multifaceted contributions to the arts, notably as an iconic musician, as well as for his advocacy of Indigenous communities in Canada. Tom has been drawing, painting and creating visual art since the mid-1990s. Mohawk Warriors, Hunters & Chiefs is the first publication dedicated to his visual art practice.
Cultural Goods Gallery is located at 1444 Dupont St Unit 15, Toronto. For more information, visit the gallery’s website.
