Arlea Ashcroft is a French Anishinaabe/Saulteaux multi-disciplinary artist from Treaty 1 Territory in Manitoba, Canada. She is known for work that explores themes of Indigenous and mixed-blood identity, mental health, female sexuality, and art as activism. Her artistic style incorporates a punk rock aesthetic, channeling her raw, rebellious energy into her visual, performance, multimedia, and literary art forms, highlighting her versatility as an artist, fostering dialogue around the transformative power of art as a conduit for truth-telling and cultural preservation.
Her work has been featured in solo exhibitions such as Land, Water, Warriors and Let It Burn, and her films, including Métis, Métis Not, have been showcased in numerous festivals globally. In addition to her visual art, Ashcroft has contributed to the literary world. Her piece “Good Morning Relatives” was recognized by CBC Books, highlighting her versatility as an artist. Additionally, she was a member of the punk band SHRIMP and continues to channel her raw, rebellious energy into her visual and multimedia art
Ashcroft has been active in the arts for over 30 years and has gained both local and international recognition. She is happiest chasing sunsets and camping fireside under the stars.
My work spans genres from experimental film, portraiture, photography, multimedia combinations of analog and digital creations. And goes beyond merely capturing a faithful likeness of a person place or thing, often tending towards a heightened illustrative nature. The physical process of creation is very organic usually being born from a desire to express and communicate stories and experiences that I have observed. Often the stories dictate their own mediums and ways of being told and I am just a conduit. My challenge as an artist is to capture a truth and present a moment of honesty that is stylistically revealing about the subject while satisfying my need for self expression.
“Ashcroft is a multimedia creative dynamo and woman-about-town, having worked in theatre, film and music…..On one level, Ashcroft is documenting a specific social scene. In a larger sense, she’s challenging the usual dynamic of western art, in which woman is a passive object offered up to a male viewer… Ashcroft backs up this antagonistic stance with her painting technique, which is deliberately off-putting. Working acrylics and oils in garish, glaring colours, using harsh lines and sharp angles, Ashcroft keeps the viewer on edge.” Excerpt from Winnipeg Free Press – by Allison Gillmor
Interview from Nov 5, 2016 by Clint Roscoe –
on the evolution of Work, Creation, and Dreams
Interview in 2010 The Artist Nextdoor
Society6 SmAshcroft click here
Arlea Ashcroft 
I don’t deserve to make contact, but I’ve spent about 20 years remembering the power of your persona. You’re an archetype, a prototype, an example of how people can be their best. Simply put, you made my life better, in ( roughly) 2001 . You made my life better, and I appreciate that.
Tim Murphy, clumsy, appreciative roommate, 2001