Benjamin Chee Chee
Benjamin Chee Chee
1944 - 1977
Benjamin Chee Chee was an Ojibway artist closely associated with the Woodland school, a First Nations group of artists. He was known for his modern, simplified linear style.

Chee Chee was born in 1944 in Temagami, northern Ontario. His childhood was tumultuous - he lost his father as an infant, and spent stretches separated from his mother while living in foster homes and reform institutions. Upon moving to Montreal in his early twenties, Chee Chee worked odd jobs and began to foster his painting practice. Upon moving to Ottawa in the late 1960s, he was reunited with his mother after a twelve year separation. Chee Chee sold his artwork informally on the street, before holding first his solo show at the Nicolas Art Gallery in 1973.

Over the next few years, Chee Chee refined his style; reducing forms to a few simple and graceful lines, and using colour sparingly, to powerful symbolic effect. Geese and swallows were his favourite subjects, often depicted in only yellow and black. These simplified forms translated well to silkscreens, and Chee Chee began to produce limited editions based on his original acrylics.

Following successful showings in Ottawa, Chee Chee’s work was exhibited in leading galleries across Canada, including the Inukshuk Gallery in Waterloo, the Wah-sa Gallery in Winnipeg, Marion Scott Gallery in Vancouver and Sea Chest Gallery in Halifax. His last show in Vancouver sold out on the first day. Just as Chee Chee was beginning to achieve widespread success, his career was cut short by his death at 33. Chee Chee’s work is included in the McMichael Collection, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the National Gallery of Canada and in a number of corporate and private collections.

Photo: Ernie Bies
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Four Geese in Flight by Benjamin Chee Chee sold for $25,000
Benjamin Chee Chee
Four Geese in Flight
28 x 36 in, 71.1 x 91.4 cm
acrylic on paper
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000 CDN
Sold for: $25,000 CDN (premium included)
Post-War & Contemporary Art on Thursday, January 31, 2019
Black Bird with Red by Benjamin Chee Chee sold for $21,250
Benjamin Chee Chee
Black Bird with Red
20 x 28 in, 50.8 x 71.1 cm
acrylic on paper
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000 CDN
Sold for: $21,250 CDN (premium included)
Canadian & International Art on Thursday, June 28, 2018
Flying Geese by Benjamin Chee Chee sold for $20,000
Benjamin Chee Chee
Flying Geese
14 x 18 in, 35.6 x 45.7 cm
acrylic on paper
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000 CDN
Sold for: $20,000 CDN (premium included)
June 2017 - 3rd Session on Thursday, June 29, 2017
Two Geese in Flight by Benjamin Chee Chee sold for $15,000
Benjamin Chee Chee
Two Geese in Flight
22 1/4 x 30 in, 56.5 x 76.2 cm
acrylic on paper
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 CDN
Sold for: $15,000 CDN (premium included)
First Nations & Inuit Art on Thursday, February 28, 2019
Geese by Benjamin Chee Chee sold for $13,750
Benjamin Chee Chee
Geese
30 x 36 in, 76.2 x 91.4 cm
acrylic on canvas
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000 CDN
Sold for: $13,750 CDN (premium included)
Like Family: The Collection of Dr. Luigi Rossi on Thursday, March 27, 2025
Seal and Sun by Benjamin Chee Chee sold for $12,980
Benjamin Chee Chee
Seal and Sun
17 x 22 3/4 in, 43.2 x 57.8 cm
tempera on paper
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000 CDN
Sold for: $12,980 CDN (premium included)
February 2015 - 3rd Session on Thursday, February 26, 2015
Goose with Sun and Blue Sky by Benjamin Chee Chee sold for $12,500
Benjamin Chee Chee
Goose with Sun and Blue Sky
18 x 24 in, 45.7 x 61 cm
acrylic on paper
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000 CDN
Sold for: $12,500 CDN (premium included)
Post-War & Contemporary Art on Thursday, September 26, 2019
Two Geese Taking Off by Benjamin Chee Chee sold for $11,875
Benjamin Chee Chee
Two Geese Taking Off
19 x 24 in, 48.3 x 61 cm
acrylic on paper
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000 CDN
Sold for: $11,875 CDN (premium included)
First Nations & Inuit Art on Thursday, February 25, 2021
Untitled by Benjamin Chee Chee sold for $11,800
Benjamin Chee Chee
Untitled
22 x 29 1/2 in, 55.9 x 74.9 cm
acrylic on paper
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000 CDN
Sold for: $11,800 CDN (premium included)
November 2014 - 2nd Session on Saturday, November 29, 2014
Goose by Benjamin Chee Chee sold for $11,700
Benjamin Chee Chee
Goose
22 x 30 in, 55.9 x 76.2 cm
acrylic on paper
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000 CDN
Sold for: $11,700 CDN (premium included)
March 2014 - 4th Session on Thursday, March 27, 2014