Spring 2013 Newsletter

Our Spring 2013 Newsletter is now available online and in the gallery. Featured this season is Kwakwaka'wakw artist Richard Sumner, who is well-known for his beautifully made bentwood boxes. We also have new works by young Haida artists Jing (Rob Long) and Sgwaayaans (TJ Young), who are both apprenticing with renowned Haida artist Robert Davidson. Lastly, we are excited to announce a show featuring collaborative and individual pieces by Kwakwaka'wakw artists and brothers, Rod and Steve Smith. A reception will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2013 from 4pm-7pm to celebrate the opening and National Aboriginal Day- save the date!

Click here to read more from our Spring 2013 Newsletter.

Contemporary Methods in Northwest Coast Native Art: Bronze Forton Casting

Ben Davidson, Bronze Forton Casting, Half of U #5/12, 10 3/4" x 21 1/2", $2,500.00 CAD

Haida artist Ben Davidson brings a new dimension to contemporary Northwest Coast art through his use of the Bronze Forton Casting technique.This type of casting is a method of cold bronze casting that uses a mixture of extremely fine bronze powder and Forton, a harder, denser and non-toxic version of industrial plaster. Upon hardening, the casting is removed from the mold and any imperfections are chased and cleaned. The result is a finished bronze surface that has the look, feel and weight of a traditionally cast bronze sculpture.

The three-dimensional appearance of the cast offers a unique alternative to wood sculpture and two-dimensional prints. The simplicity of the single blue color choice is non-traditional and also gives the sculpture a crisp, polished finish. This piece, titled Half of U, is numbered 5 of an edition of 12 and is available for $2,500.00 CAD.

Ben is the son of internationally renowned Haida artist Robert Davidson and is an original member of the Rainbow Creek Dancers, a traditional Haida dance group. His experience with dancing with this group as well as learning traditional Haida art from his father and uncle, Reg Davidson, has allowed him to continually explore the relationship between Haida art and culture.

Rainbow Spirit Mask by Jing (Rob Long)

When browsing Vancouver's galleries or enjoying the diverse collection of First Nations materials at UBC's Museum of Anthropology, you may notice the occasional rainbow design. From prints such as Joe David's 1977 Memorial Rainbow Drum to Tim Paul's The Rainbow People mask, rare works are created with this joyful motif. The inclusion of rainbows in Northwest Coast Native art is, however, more than an effort to imbue works with a sense of mirth. The rainbow can be found as a recurring theme within art produced by some southern cultures (such as the Nuu-chah-nulth), where it is respected as a potent natural phenomenon in the same vein as thunder, lightning, and earthquakes. 

Jing's Joyful 'Rainbow Spirit' Mask

The rainbow is also a sub-crest within Haida culture. There are several myths that describe Rainbow as a supernatural being, affiliated with Raven. This mask by Jing (Rob Long), available at Lattimer Gallery and titled Rainbow Spirit, is an homage to these cultural myths. Carved from Alder and exquisitely painted, this mask exudes a cheer that will brighten up even the most overcast Vancouver day! It measures 13" x 8 ½” x 5 ¼” and is available for $2,000.00 CAD. Jing has been working with celebrated Haida artist Robert Davidson since 2009. He has been involved in Haida song and dance since he was three, and he currently dances with the Rainbow Creek Dancers. Rob has worked with Ben Davidson, David R. Boxley, Lyle Campbell and Jordon Seward. In 2008, Rob won the 2008 Frank O'Neil Visionary Award.

Fall Exhibitions

This fall, there are plenty of shows and exhibitions featuring Northwest Coast artists and their works, both traditional and contemporary. Some are right here in Vancouver, and there are some nearby still, so if you have any spare time, it might be worth visiting a few.

Sonny Assu, Longing, West Vancouver Museum,
September 14th - November 5th
Artist will give a talk on October 19th, 7:00pm.
This installation uses wood stumps as sculpture, conceptually displayed as masks, and within photography to suggest an art and culture lost and displaced by colonialism.
Read a review from the Vancouver Sun here.

Shawn Hunt, Solo Exhibition, Blanket Gallery,
September 17th - October 15th
Curated by fellow artist Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, this exhibition demonstrates Shawn's ability to break the rules and conventions of Northwest Coast Art.
Read a review from the Vancouver Sun here.

Robert Davidson, The Art of Robert Davidson, Western Gallery,
October 3rd - November 22nd, Bellingham, WA
In conjunction with the exhibition, there will be a public performance by the Rainbow Creek Dancers to Western Washington's University campus on October 21st, 7:30pm. You can purchase tickets for the event here.

Henry Hunt, K'ulut'a and the Professor, Legacy Art Gallery,
October 8th - November 26th, Victoria BC
This exhibition celebrates the art and legacy of Kwakwaka'wakw artist Henry Hunt K'ulut'a. It includes a number of Henry Hunt's masks, serigraphs and carvings from the significant collection of Dr. Peter Smart.

Image Detail: © Robert Davidson, Ravenous, 2003, Red Cedar and Acrylic Paint.

Charity Bentwood Boxes - Nov 27th to Dec 10th

For the past four years, Lattimer Gallery has organized events over the holiday season to help support various charities.

This year, we will be holding a silent auction featuring a wide range of bentwood boxes. All of the work in the creation of these small cedar boxes will be donated: the boxes will be steam-bent and donated by Metis/Cree artist James Michels; the promotion and collected funds will be donated by Lattimer Gallery; and the artwork will be donated by the artists. Lattimer Gallery is working with Vancouver Aboriginal Health, which supports children and families at BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre. The goal of this program is to improve the quality of hospital experiences for Aboriginal patients and their families.

We will be selling the boxes by silent auction, and we will start uploading the boxes to our website in late November. We will update current selling prices on the website as well, and bids can be placed in person, via email, or by phone.

Masks by Rob Long (Jing)

Lattimer Gallery has started to carry the work of young Haida carver, Rob Long. His Haida name is Jing which, appropriately, means "long". As the current apprentice of famous Haida artist, Robert Davidson, Rob Long places strong emphasis on technique and design. One trait that is apparent in all of his work is his flawless finishing. This attention to detail can be seen on the outside and inside of his masks. Rob has only created a handful of masks for the market, and Lattimer Gallery is happy to have represented the majority of these collectible works.

Rob has been involved in Haida song and dance since he was three, and he currently dances with the Rainbow Creek Dancers. Rob has worked with Ben Davidson, David R. Boxley, Lyle Campbell and Jordon Seward. In 2008, Rob won the 2008 Frank O'Neil Visionary Award.

Robert Davidson Wins Audain Prize

This month, celebrated Haida artist Robert Davidson received the 2010 Audain Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the Visual Arts. In its seventh year, the Audain Prize provides each annual recipient with $30,000 and is designed to publicly acknowledge prominent artists living and working in British Columbia.

Having already received such prestigious awards as the Order of Canada and an Honourary Doctorate from the University of Victoria, this is yet another feather in the cap of this highly skilled, trailblazing Haida artist.