Defining Each Other

Artist/Curatorial Statement

This rectangular Coast Salish design depicts two raven heads above two Nuuchah-nulth style split u-forms and is a tribute to my Coast Salish contemporaries.

As a contemporary Coast Salish artist, I study the works of my ancestors as well as the works of my Coast Salish contemporaries; my ancestors to see where the art form came from and my contemporaries to see where the art form is at currently.

I am the apprentice
of my ancestors
I am the apprentice
of my contemporaries.

Historically, Nuu-chah-nulth art was under-appreciated in comparison to northern and Kwa-kwa-ka-wakw art forms. In response to this, Nuu-chah-nulth artists Joe David, Art Thompson, and Ron Hamilton studied "historical" Nuu-cha-nulth art and collectively began to redefine their artistic tradition.

This is the approach I take with contemporary Coast Salish art. Although I strive for an individual style and a distinctive voice and vision, I acknowledge that my work is influenced by other Coast Salish artists such as Chris Paul, Susan Point, Charles Elliott, John Marston, Maynard Johnny Jr., Shaun Peterson, Stuart Pagaduan, and Ed Joe.

lessLIE

Exhibition(s): Perpetual Salish: Contemporary Coast Salish Art from the Salish Weave Collection, Perpetual Salish: In Print