New Panels in the Gallery

We are very excited to have a diverse selection of new panels in the gallery by artists Clinton Work (Kwakwaka'wakw), Dean Hunt (Heiltsuk), James Michels (Metis), and Alano Edzerza (Tahltan).

Clinton Work, Red Cedar Panel, Abstract design, 30" Diameter x 2", $3,200.00 CAD

This unique panel by Clinton Work depicts a cropped Abstract design featuring a slight notion of a Human face in the top right half of the panel. The piece is carved in red cedar and finished with a mixture of carbon powder and furniture wax, leaving it with an understated softness. Every surface of the panel has been knife-finished, which gives the piece added dimension and texture. This piece measures 30” Diameter x 2” and is available for $3,200.00 CAD.

Dean Hunt, Red Cedar Panel, Time Traveller, 25 1/2" x 21 1/2" x 1 7/8", $2,500.00 CAD

Dean Hunt’s panel is inspired by a mid-19^th century Heiltsuk bentwood box painted by Captain Carpenter and features a Human figure. The twelve white feathers along the top of the panel represent the twelve moons. This panel, titled Time Traveller, measures 25 ½” x 21 ½” x 1 7/8” and is available for $2,500.00 CAD.

James Michels, Red Cedar Panel,. Eagle design, 27" Diameter, $2,600.00 CAD

This panel by Metis/Cree artist James Michels is hand-carved and painted in red cedar with beautiful textured areas. The bold design depicts Eagle, a symbol of power, knowledge, peace and friendship. This piece measures 27” Diameter and is available for $2,600.00 CAD.

Alano Edzerza, Etched Glass Panel, His Blanket of Faces, 33" x 32", $5,000.00 CAD

Lastly, we have a new etched-glass panel with a red cedar mount by Tahltan artist Alano Edzerza. This elegant piece is contemporary in style and technique and features a Chilkat design. Chilkat weavings, named for the Chilkat tribe in Tlingit territory, are worn by high-ranking people and they have great symbolic power in the designs. This piece, titled His Blanket of Faces, measures 33” x 32” and is available for $5,000.00 CAD.

Left: Phil Gray, Red Cedar Panel, Ki

llerwhale design, 36" Diame

ter; Right: Rande Cook, Killerwhale design, 36" Diameter

In addition to the pieces in the gallery, we currently have five panels in the works for a custom order. The two pictured here are by artists Rande Cook (Kwakwaka’wakw) and Phil Gray (Tsimshian/Cree).

Artist Spotlight: Dean Hunt (Heiltsuk)

Both artistically and musically inclined, Heiltsuk artist Dean Hunt has explored a variety of media since we last featured him in our Winter 2008 Newsletter. At that time, he was partway through an apprenticeship with his brother, Shawn Hunt, and father, Bradley Hunt. Since then, we've seen some remarkable pieces including  a pair of hand-carved sterling silver Berry Picker earrings, a spectacular Mouse Woman cedar sculpture, and a vibrant, hand-painted Mouse Woman on canvas. Dean also explores the realm of music as a DJ and Music Producer, where he is known as dj deano.

Dean Hunt Acrylic Painting on Wood Panel, Sea Monster, 20" x 16", $750.00; Bumble Bee, 24" x 18". $900.00

Some of our favorite pieces by Dean are his playful acrylics on wood panels, which generally have given life to less common imagery in Northwest Coast art. His style is very geometric, bold and alive with color. The two images above represent a Sea Monster (left) and Bumble Bee (right). 

Dean Hunt, Sterling Silver Earrings, Berry Picker, 2 1/8" x 5/8", $400.00; Sterling Silver Bracelet, Robins, 1" x 6", $1,200.00

Dean's unique choice of imagery is also evident in his jewellery - from Mushrooms to Robins to Sparkling Raindrops. His pieces are crisp, thoughtful and beautifully executed. Come by the gallery to see a selection of Dean Hunt's pieces.

Barnacles to Butterflies: Unusual Imagery in NWC Silver Jewellery

Image: Kelvin Thompson, sterling silver + 14k yellow gold bracelet, Crabs, 1 3/8" x 6", $2,400.00

The online preview for Barnacles to Butterflies is now available on our website.

We are very excited to show our audience the diverse range of unusual designs that Northwest Coast artists have applied to sterling silver jewellery. While much of the imagery within silver jewellery created by British Columbia's First Nations engravers is based on family crest symbols, artists from the pacific Northwest have a long history of using their surroundings as inspiration. From Kelvin Thompson's spectacular Crabs bracelet to Clint Work's playful  Sea Urchin earrings to Dean Hunt's abstract Mushroom pendant, these Northwest Coast artists have created a selection of imaginative pieces that are really quite unusual.

Featured artists include Harold Alfred (Kwakwaka'wakw), Gwaai Edenshaw (Haida), Dean Hunt (Heiltsuk), Sharifah Marsden (Ojibwa), Carrie Matilpi (Kwakwaka'wakw/Carrier/Cree), Jeff Pat (Coast Salish), Justin Rivard (Cree), Kelvin Thompson (Ojibwa/Saulteaux/Haisla), Sonia Triebwasser (Kwakwaka'wakw), Barry Wilson (Haisla), Derek Wilson (Haisla), Dan Wallace (Kwakwaka'wakw/Haida) and Clinton Work (Kwakwaka'wakw).

Barnacles to Butterflies will be on display at the gallery from September 22nd - October 13th, 2012. We welcome you to join us at our opening reception on Saturday, September 22nd from 3-5pm.