Dempsey Bob: SALMON

On view from March 1st, 2027 - March 1st, 2028.

SALMON is a landmark solo exhibition by internationally acclaimed Tahltan Tlingit artist Dempsey Bob.

Guest curated by Nakkita Trimble (Nisga'a), SALMON explores the profound relationship between salmon and the Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast. Through the lens of First Nations knowledge, values, and lived experience, the exhibition reveals how salmon has shaped the environmental, cultural, and economic history of British Columbia for millennia.

At the heart of the exhibition is the story of the salmon canneries that transformed BC's coastal economy and the generations of Indigenous families whose labour, knowledge, and stewardship sustained this industry. While the cannery era is often told through an economic lens, SALMON reframes this history by centering Indigenous perspectives, highlighting salmon not simply as a resource, but as a sacred relative, a life-giver, and a symbol of reciprocity between people and the natural world.

Bringing together monumental carvings, sculptures, prints, and works on paper, SALMON will showcase Dempsey Bob's extraordinary artistic vision alongside never-before-exhibited works created exclusively for this exhibition, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience new pieces by one of the Northwest Coast's most celebrated contemporary artists.

Widely recognized as one of the foremost Indigenous artists working today, Dempsey Bob's masterful practice bridges ancestral traditions with contemporary expression. SALMON invites visitors to reflect on the enduring significance of salmon not only as the foundation of Indigenous cultures and coastal economies, but also as a powerful symbol in ongoing conversations about environmental stewardship, cultural resilience, and the future of British Columbia.

EXHIBITION SUPPORTERS