Star Dreamer, a shamanic artist, has captured the "Big Picture" of global destiny within a 28" x 28" diamond-shaped frame. Inconspicuously packaged as a multi-media sound and visual presentation, the contents within are indisputably powerful healing medicine by anyone's cultural yardstick.

At a glance the "Planet Heart" poster is presented as "the first, ever, dual-image, glow in the dark print". The Kit comes with an 8 minute audio tape featuring narration, effects and music. Together they create a dramatic soundscape assisting viewers on their own personal Vision Quest experience. Star Dreamer; a name given him by "an old Native Medicine Man", as the Vision Quest story reveals, is a spiritual son of Ojibway Grand Shaman and world-renowned aboriginal artist; Norval Morrisseau. Morrisseau had a vision himself, and Star Dreamer (aka Ritchie Sinclair) was ultimately to become his only apprentice of non-Native geneology.

Herein lies Sinclair's enigma, the son of missionary parents, ironically now, a  "white shaman". A master of inspirational imagery, caught between the reverberating values of two cultures yet belonging to neither one. His work is a hybrid, borrowing  from the strengths of each culture to create a foundation of insight that provides a significant message to both. The art of Ritchie Sinclair is the story of the greater inclusive family of Humanity; which goes beyond borders, boundaries and bloodlines.

His art expresses a profound sense of perfection, resolution, balance and harmony. First and foremost, Star Dreamer is a creator with multi-dimensional talent. Aside from his commanding ability to give life to canvas, he is also an accomplished musician/songwriter and a gifted craftsmen of the written word. And now with the Planet Heart project he has carefully orchestrated the force of his many talents into what can only be described as a magical sojourn of the senses.

His work has been displayed at prominent events throughout his successful career. These include; Arts Against Apartheid  in 1986, where, at the request of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, his two-part work entitled; 'Lighthouse' was showcased at all the major events and gatherings. More recently, Mr. Sinclair's mural; "The Meeting Place", a 21' X 16', 28 canvas, a cross-cultural dynamo of vibrant imagery and colour was featured as the centrepiece for the first Toronto International Pow Wow at the Skydome.

Beyond exhibiting his work for the public, Sinclair feels his most satisfying contribution to the world is in his work with young people. He often visits Toronto area schools to initiate co-creative art projects with children so that they may also learn to experience and express their own creative potential. His most recent creation for inspiring "the adult in every child and the child in every adult" is the Planet Heart Project, which invites others to gain a deeper understanding of their own place in the world.

            "It inspires insight", he states matter of factly, and after my own experience I am inclined to agree.

On April 18, 1995, the Planet Heart multimedia sound and light show was officially unveiled as the central attraction of Star Dreamer's fine art exhibit entitled;"Spirit Unearthed", here in Toronto. After the presentation I witnessed the room erupt with an applause that was far from gratuitous; I sensed it was truly heartfelt. Some were so deeply moved by the experience that they had to brush away tears. To those who experienced the full impact of the show's message, the evening was an unforgettable event. The following Saturday, the painting hung high above the ceremonial stage for Earth Day at Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square; a most appropriate emblem for a day that seeks to unite the world under the banner of greater global consciousness and a deeper respect for the Earth.

As a shamanically-inspired creator, Star Dreamer has begun an odyssey that will assist this and future generations in understanding that we are all a part of the great Earthship; each of us a steward of it's destiny, each of us intimately connected to one another by the common thread of our humanity.

The Planet Heart Vision Quest is a sensually rich archetype with a profound, yet simple message. I believe it is an artistic beacon; a visual guide; and a bridge into the new millenium, today. For those that have been waiting; this is the future, the future is now and Star Dreamer has already reserved a seat for you...

Article by R. Kriewaldt
Toronto 1995