From the Depths: Jewellery Inspired by the Sea

In 2012, Lattimer Gallery held a jewellery exhibition titled Barnacles to Butterflies: Unusual Silver Jewellery which featured over twenty pieces depicting atypical animal symbols found within Northwest Coast Native art. Last year, we organized a show titled Silver Linings: Jewellery from the Open Sky which provided artists with the opportunity to create works based on a broad theme. From copper storm cloud earrings to an intergalactic silver cuff bracelet, artists came up with some astounding concepts and artwork, making the show a hit. We have organized another themed jewellery show for 2014, titled From the Depths: Jewellery Inspired by the Sea. 

Many traditional family crests found within First Nations communities in the Pacific Northwest have their roots in the ocean. Figures such as the orca, seal, and salmon are often represented in Northwest Coast art, but we have requested artists to delve deeper into the symbolism found within their cultures. We have asked them to be completely open with their creativity, and they have delivered. Featuring the work of Shawn Edenshaw (Haida), Clinton Work (Kwakwaka’wakw), Corrine Hunt (Kwakwaka’wakw/Tlingit), Marcel Russ (Haida), Kelvin Thompson (Ojibwa/Salteaux/Haisla), SoniaTriebwasser (Kwakwaka’wakw), and Hollie Bartlett (Haisla), this year’s exhibition demonstrates how vibrant and innovative jewellery-making is in this market and in this part of the world.  

From the Depths will run from September 20th to October 11th, 2014. An online preview of the pieces will be available starting September 15th. Please join us for our opening reception on Saturday, September 20th, between 4pm-7pm.