Mélodie and Nathalie Coutou

The Coutou sisters are Québéc artists of French and Métis-Mi'kmaq descent who honor their mixed cultural heritage through arts and painting. Nathalie combines drawing, illustration and graphics in her creations. She is the founder and owner of KHEWA, a fair trade and art gallery. She has dedicated her career to promoting Aboriginal artists from across Canada. Melody explores sculpture and installation where she uses obsolete objects that accumulate unnecessarily in the environment. By highlighting the cause-effect relationship of natural resource exploitation, she draws attention on the impact of humans on biodiversity and ecosystems. The duo showcases their many experiences of educational events to share their roots through the encounter between environmental awareness and First Nations culture.

Curriculum Links

Collaborate to produce a piece of art, in response to a legend, in a cultural context.

General Icons

New Artist

New Program

Program Type

Residency

Indigenous

Performance

Workshop

Seniors

Language

English

French

French Immersion

School Residency: Collective artwork inspired by an Indigenous legend

Sisters Mélodie and Nathalie Coutou are Québécois artists of French and Métis-Mi'kmaq descent, who express themselves through their deep ties to the environment and their respect for the culture of their ancestors. Inspired by an Indigenous legend shared by these artists, students will create a collaborative piece of artwork based on the plant or animal world, using natural or recycled materials. Exploring the connection between environmental awareness and First Nations culture, this project allows students to develop their fine motor skills while appreciating their relationship with nature, its elements and symbols. The project ends with a sharing circle where students return to reflect on their experience.