First Nations Art of British Columbia
Jun 16, 2019 - Aug 11, 2019
This exhibition brings inspiring contemporary artwork from aboriginal artists of the Northwest Coast of Canada
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First Nations art of the Northwest Coast is among the most vivid, storied, and distinctive artwork in North America. It is rich in tradition and continually evolving with artists who hold a deep respect for traditional practice, yet emerge with unique interpretations, technical excellence, and mastery of materials.
This exhibition includes the artwork of established, mid-career, and emerging Northwest Coast First Nations artists who have a deep respect for traditional practice yet are keenly aware of their relationship to history and their place in contemporary First Nations culture.
The exhibition showcases the artists’ unique interpretations, technical excellence, and mastery of materials, and explores both traditional artwork and the social, cultural, and political activism of contemporary Northwest Coast art and design.
Participating artists:
- Brenda Crabtree is a practicing fiber artist from the Nlaka'pamux Nation, and consultant on the exhibition
- Sonny Assu is a painter from the Heiltsuk Nation, Ligwilda'xw Territory
- Dempsey Bob is a master wood-carver and celebrated leader from the Wolf Clan-Tahltan, Tlingit Nation
- Corey Bulpitt works in wood sculpture, jewelry, and engraving, and is Haida Nation from the Naikun Raven clan
- Ben Davidson is a wood-carver from the Haida Nation, and son of renowned artist, Robert Davidson
- Shawn Hunt is a contemporary painter of the Heiltsuk Nation
- Xwalacktun works in wood, stone, glass, and metals of Coast Salish Kwakiutl and Squamish Nation, and is a cultural leader
- Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun is Coastal Salish and Okanagan Nation, and is a contemporary painter and social activist
This exhibition will introduce Northwest Coast First Nations art, history, and culture to Hawai‘i; provide an opportunity for learning, networking, capacity-building, and the sharing of art and stories; and forge alliances between First Nations and Native Hawaiian cultures and the people of Hawai‘i. This will be the first northwest coast First Nations exhibition shown on Maui.
IMAGE CREDIT: Sonny Assu Ligwildaxw Kwakwakawak Nation; Making a B Line to Haidabucks Salmonberry Frap; Digital Archival Print
Exhibit-Related Events
Working with Hide
Sunday, June 16, 2019; Alexa Higashi Room; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
First Nations artist Brenda Crabtree will lead participants through steps in making a deer hide rattle using traditional materials, techniques, and personal symbols.
Fee: $30 includes materials. Space is limited. For ages 15+.
Reserve by email: Shannon@MauiArts.org
Symbols in Sculptural Form
Sunday, June 16, 2019; Alexa Higashi Room; 2:00 – 4:00 pm
First Nations artists, Corey Bulpitt and Xwalacktun, will talk about their inspirations and approach seen in the contemporary designs of their work, and demonstrate use of their techniques in carving and formline painting. Participants will make a nontraditional formline drawing of their own.
Fee: $20 includes materials. All ages. Children attending with parents are FREE. Space is limited.
Reserve by email: Shannon@MauiArts.org
Weaving Cedar Bark
Monday, June 17, 2019; Alexa Higashi Room; 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Learn about this versatile fiber in a workshop with Brenda Crabtree, exploring the traditional Aboriginal techniques of weaving cedar bark and roots to make a small container. For ages 15 and above. Bring your own lunch.
Fee: $50 per session includes materials. Space is limited.
Reserve by email: shannon@mauiarts.org
Brenda Crabtree is the Aboriginal Program Manager at Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, Canada. She is a practicing fiber artist from the Nlaka’pamux Nation. Her artistic practice includes cedar and spruce root basketry, drum-making, moose hair tufting, and beadwork.
Corey Bulpitt works in wood sculpture, jewelry, and engraving, and is Haida Nation from the Naikun Raven clan, living in Vancouver, BC.
Xwalacktun is of Coast Salish Kwakiutl and Squamish Nation living in Vancouver, BC. He works in wood, stone, glass, and metals, and is a cultural community leader.
Xwalacktun is of Coast Salish Kwakiutl and Squamish Nation living in Vancouver, BC. He works in wood, stone, glass, and metals, and is a cultural community leader.
This exhibition is presented by Maui Arts & Cultural Center in partnership with Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver, Canada; and the East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawai‘i. The exhibit is funded in part by Canada Council for the Arts, Hawai‘i Tourism through the Community Enrichment Program, and County of Maui - Office of Economic Development, with additional support from Denbigh Fine Art Services, Vancouver, Canada.
First Nations art of the Northwest Coast is among the most vivid, storied, and distinctive artwork in North America. It is rich in tradition and continually evolving with artists who hold a deep respect for traditional practice, yet emerge with unique interpretations, technical excellence, and mastery of materials.
This exhibition includes the artwork of established, mid-career, and emerging Northwest Coast First Nations artists who have a deep respect for traditional practice yet are keenly aware of their relationship to history and their place in contemporary First Nations culture.
The exhibition showcases the artists’ unique interpretations, technical excellence, and mastery of materials, and explores both traditional artwork and the social, cultural, and political activism of contemporary Northwest Coast art and design.
Participating artists:
- Brenda Crabtree is a practicing fiber artist from the Nlaka'pamux Nation, and consultant on the exhibition
- Sonny Assu is a painter from the Heiltsuk Nation, Ligwilda'xw Territory
- Dempsey Bob is a master wood-carver and celebrated leader from the Wolf Clan-Tahltan, Tlingit Nation
- Corey Bulpitt works in wood sculpture, jewelry, and engraving, and is Haida Nation from the Naikun Raven clan
- Ben Davidson is a wood-carver from the Haida Nation, and son of renowned artist, Robert Davidson
- Shawn Hunt is a contemporary painter of the Heiltsuk Nation
- Xwalacktun works in wood, stone, glass, and metals of Coast Salish Kwakiutl and Squamish Nation, and is a cultural leader
- Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun is Coastal Salish and Okanagan Nation, and is a contemporary painter and social activist
This exhibition will introduce Northwest Coast First Nations art, history, and culture to Hawai‘i; provide an opportunity for learning, networking, capacity-building, and the sharing of art and stories; and forge alliances between First Nations and Native Hawaiian cultures and the people of Hawai‘i. This will be the first northwest coast First Nations exhibition shown on Maui.
IMAGE CREDIT: Sonny Assu Ligwildaxw Kwakwakawak Nation; Making a B Line to Haidabucks Salmonberry Frap; Digital Archival Print
Exhibit-Related Events
Working with Hide
Sunday, June 16, 2019; Alexa Higashi Room; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
First Nations artist Brenda Crabtree will lead participants through steps in making a deer hide rattle using traditional materials, techniques, and personal symbols.
Fee: $30 includes materials. Space is limited. For ages 15+.
Reserve by email: Shannon@MauiArts.org
Symbols in Sculptural Form
Sunday, June 16, 2019; Alexa Higashi Room; 2:00 – 4:00 pm
First Nations artists, Corey Bulpitt and Xwalacktun, will talk about their inspirations and approach seen in the contemporary designs of their work, and demonstrate use of their techniques in carving and formline painting. Participants will make a nontraditional formline drawing of their own.
Fee: $20 includes materials. All ages. Children attending with parents are FREE. Space is limited.
Reserve by email: Shannon@MauiArts.org
Weaving Cedar Bark
Monday, June 17, 2019; Alexa Higashi Room; 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Learn about this versatile fiber in a workshop with Brenda Crabtree, exploring the traditional Aboriginal techniques of weaving cedar bark and roots to make a small container. For ages 15 and above. Bring your own lunch.
Fee: $50 per session includes materials. Space is limited.
Reserve by email: shannon@mauiarts.org
Brenda Crabtree is the Aboriginal Program Manager at Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, Canada. She is a practicing fiber artist from the Nlaka’pamux Nation. Her artistic practice includes cedar and spruce root basketry, drum-making, moose hair tufting, and beadwork.
Corey Bulpitt works in wood sculpture, jewelry, and engraving, and is Haida Nation from the Naikun Raven clan, living in Vancouver, BC.
Xwalacktun is of Coast Salish Kwakiutl and Squamish Nation living in Vancouver, BC. He works in wood, stone, glass, and metals, and is a cultural community leader.
Xwalacktun is of Coast Salish Kwakiutl and Squamish Nation living in Vancouver, BC. He works in wood, stone, glass, and metals, and is a cultural community leader.
This exhibition is presented by Maui Arts & Cultural Center in partnership with Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver, Canada; and the East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawai‘i. The exhibit is funded in part by Canada Council for the Arts, Hawai‘i Tourism through the Community Enrichment Program, and County of Maui - Office of Economic Development, with additional support from Denbigh Fine Art Services, Vancouver, Canada.