Self-taught artist from northern Manitoba unveils new mural in Winnipeg’s North End [Video]

“He shines brighter than any star you see at night, we call him the Art Star,” is the introduction Steve Wilson, the executive director of Graffiti Art Programming, gave to artist Jedrick Thorassie in front of a room full of people.

Thorassie and Wilson unveiled their newest collaboration Monday in Winnipeg’s North End — an outdoor mural on the north-facing side of a youth-serving organization on Burrows avenue. The organization is Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad or Ndinawe, and translates from Anishinaabemowin to our relatives home.

“I just hope I can show people that you can have a really rough life and there’s people there that will help you pick yourself up and sort of change your life for the better,” Thorassie said.

Thorassie is a self-taught artist from the northern Manitoban community of Tadoule Lake, 250 kilometres west of Churchill, and a member of the Sayisi Dene First Nation. He was given full creative freedom …