Shelley Niro

Shelley Niro was born in Niagara Falls, NY.  Currently she lives in Brantford Ontario.  Niro is a member of the Six Nations Reserve, Bay of Quinte Mohawk, Turtle Clan. Shelley Niro is a multi-media artist.  Her work involves photography, painting, beadwork and film. Niro is conscious the impact post-colonial mediums have had on Indigenous people.  Like many artists from different Native communities, she works relentlessly presenting people in realistic and explorative portrayals.  Photo series such as Mohawks in Beehives, This land is mime land and M : Stories of women are a few of the genre of artwork.  Films include:  Honey Moccasin, It starts with a whisper, The shirt, Kissed by lightning and Robert’s painting.  Shelley graduated from the Ontario College of Art, Honours and received her Master of Fine Art from the University of Western Ontario.  Niro was the inaugural recipient of the Aboriginal Arts Award presented through the Ontario Arts Council in 2012. In 2017, Niro received the Govenor General’s Award for the Arts from the Canada Council, The Scotiabank Photography Award and also received from the Hnatyshyn Foundation REVEAL Award.  Niro also received the Arts and Culture Award from the Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation. Niro continues to produce work reflecting herself and her community.