2014 Charity Bentwood Box Event at Lattimer Gallery

At Lattimer Gallery, the past seven holiday seasons have begun with an exciting Charity Bentwood Box Silent Auction, with each year’s donations surpassing the last. What begins as a blank cedar bentwood box is transformed into a beautiful work of art, all in the name of charity. Three years ago, we were pleased to announce a three-year partnership with the Urban Native Youth Association, a Vancouver organization which has been providing 21 prevention-focused programs and services to Native youth since 1988. Last year, we decided to assign 100% of all donations from our charity auctions to UNYA for the foreseeable future. Last year was by far our most successful year to date, with $38,909 being raised for UNYA. As of 2013, we have raised over $100,000 for Aboriginal organizations through this one event and we hope that our customers and matching partners will continue to help support this worthy cause.

Between November 22nd and December 6th you will have the chance to bid on these one-of-a-kind pieces via phone, email, or in person. The boxes can be viewed on our website with their current accompanying bids. Participating artists include Reg Davidson (Haida), Phil Gray (Tsimshian/Cree), Dean Hunt (Heiltsuk), Shawn Hunt (Heiltsuk), Corrine Hunt (Kwakwaka’wakw/Tlingit), James Michels (Métis/Cree), Steve Smith (Kwakwaka’wakw), and Clint Work (Kwakwaka’wakw), among others.

Sneak Peek of the 2014 Charity Boxes

We invite you to take part in our exciting charity event this holiday season. Please join us for a reception concluding the final evening of bidding, December 6th, from 5pm to 8pm. The boxes will be on display and participating artists for our annual charity event will be in attendance. In addition, we will donate 10% of sales made on December 6th to UNYA.

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.

Volcano Woman by Phil Janze

Reflecting the artist's personal crests - Gisgaast (Fireweed) and Frog - this intriguing cuff bracelet depicts Volcano Woman. Volcano Woman is a mythological figure who originates from Northern BC and Haida Gwaii. She is a symbol of the land and is closely associated with Frog, who acts as her familiar and communicates her messages. In one myth, Volcano Woman materializes and destroys an entire village over the senseless killing of a single frog. She is a maternal figure, but she is also a powerful and often vengeful figure too.

In this wide cuff by Gitxsan jeweller Phil Janze, Volcano Woman is facing forward, identified through her labret and lava tears. Frogs form at the ends of the tears, connecting her to nature and all forest creatures. Her hands are presented palms up, perhaps communicating a warning to those who needlessly harm the natural world. The ends of this stunning bracelet are decorated with a floral fireweed motif. Fireweed is often abundant in wet and acidic soils and is found in open fields, pastures, and particularly burned-over lands; the name "Fireweed" derives from the species' abundance as a coloniser on burnt sites after forest fires. This connection to fire and lava adds depth to the symbolism behind the cuff. It measures 5 3/4" long by 1 1/2" wide and is priced at $3,500.00 CAD.

Phil began working in metal at age 13, later graduated from B.C.I.T. and was invited to the jewellery program at Goldsmith's Hall in England. His many widely exhibited/published works include: silkscreen prints, carvings, totem poles, masks, and gold and silver repousse jewellery. Phil was recognized by the Canadian Jeweller's Challenge in 1982-84 for creating one of six finest pieces in Canada. He is the only Aboriginal artist to have accomplished this, to date. Phil also won top prize in jewellery making from the Indian Northern Affairs Canada Purchase Show in 1984. In 1989, he made a 34" round copper Sun mask using the repousse technique. This was the first large-scale repousse sculpture to ever be created in contemporary Native art. In 2012, Phil received the British Columbia Creative Achievement Award for his artistic contributions. He is represented in public and corporate collections in Canada, U.S.A., Europe and Japan, and is acknowledged as a master of Northwest Coast Art.