Craig Commanda

Craig Commanda is a multidisciplinary Anishinaabe artist from the Kitigan Zibi First Nation. An acoustic guitarist, he composes ambient and fingerstyle instrumental pieces inspired by Andy McKee and Don Ross, where technical virtuosity meets melodic sensitivity to create immersive and contemplative soundscapes.

His artistic practice extends far beyond music, encompassing film, beadwork, photography, poetry, tanning hides, traditional crafts, and digital fabrication. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Film Production from Concordia University, his films have been showcased at festivals including imagineNATIVE, Wairoa Māori, Māoriland, and Kurzfilmtage Winterthur in Switzerland. As a professional beadwork artist, his creations have been exhibited at renowned venues such as SAW Gallery, Ottawa Art Gallery, Galerie Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain, Foire Plural, Art Toronto, Art Mûr, and the Biennale Révélations in France.

Across all his disciplines, Craig weaves connections between Anishinaabe traditions and contemporary practices, offering an artistic universe that is rich, sensitive, and deeply personal.