Ojibwe, b. 1970, Northern Ontario, Canada
Lives and works in Canada

Eric Keast is a contemporary Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) artist born in 1954 and raised in northern Minnesota. Deeply rooted in his Native heritage, Keast’s work is known for its fusion of traditional Indigenous iconography with contemporary forms, often incorporating natural materials, found objects, and layered symbolism. His practice spans painting, sculpture, installation, and assemblage, exploring the relationship between land, memory, and cultural survival. Keast draws inspiration from oral history, Ojibwe cosmology, and the changing environmental and political landscapes that shape Indigenous identity today. Active in arts education and community engagement, Keast has also served as a mentor for emerging Native artists, ensuring the continuation and evolution of cultural expression in the Midwest.