Wednesday, November 15, 7 pm - 8 pm
Are you captivated by the rich tapestry of Northwest Coast art? Do contemporary interpretations of traditional stories excite you? If so, mark your calendar for an enlightening evening with some of the most visionary artists in the field today.
We're thrilled to invite you to Bright Futures: Online Artist Discussion, where artistry and narrative intertwine. This exclusive free event is your chance to delve into the creative processes and artistic journeys of Kelly Robinson, Latham Mack, Cody Lecoy, and Keith Kerrigan.
These artists, each with their unique voice, are united in their commitment to both honour and redefine Northwest Coast art. They are all featured in the Bright Futures exhibition (on view until January 14, 2024), which is both a retrospective on how Northwest Coast art has evolved over the past 25 years, and an invitation for the next generation of Indigenous artists to continue to create bright futures for Northwest Coast art.
Throughout this online discussion, you will have the opportunity to:
- Discover the inspirations behind their groundbreaking works.
- Explore the role of storytelling in their artistic expression.
- Engage in a conversation about Bill Reid's influence on contemporary art
Watch the Talk
In case you were unable to participate in the discussion, you can watch the recording by clicking the link bellow:
About the Artists
Cody Lecoy is a painter of Syilx and Lekwungen ancestry. Cody studied at Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Fine Arts Program and worked for several years with Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun. He received the YVR Art Foundation Mid-Career Artist Scholarship in 2020. His work has been featured in several exhibitions, murals and community projects. “Surrealism has been my preferred style of expression. This has allowed me to portray qualities of the interior life and the external environment within the same plane of the canvas. It is also my intention through the use of abstract colour expression to convey the impermanence of flowing energy and spiritual states. I paint animated landscapes that express the dynamism of the organic form and its movement. It is in the exploration of my practice that I aim to illustrate an interconnection between all living things.
Keith Kerrigan is a member of the Haida Nation, and the Yaghulanaas clan. His family originates from the village of Dadens on Langara Island in Haida Gwaii. Keith was taught basic Haida design in 1980 by his uncle, Claude Davidson. Initially working in argillite, Keith went on to carve wood, before turning to silver and gold, guided by his cousins, Reg and Robert Davidson. Keith’s current practice focuses on the creation of contemporary jewelry featuring Haida designs inspired by those learned from his family, Haida stories, and the stories of his clients.
Kelly Robinson is a Nuxalkmc carver, designer, and jeweler. He feels privileged to be a teacher of his culture, to enjoy its beauty and live each day by its teachings. Robinson’s roots and family origins are in Bella Coola with descendants from both the Nuxalk and Nuu-chah-nulth Nations. He graduated from the Jewellery Arts program at Native Education College and the Frieda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art. He has apprenticed with artists Jim McGuire and Gordon Dick. Robins has also mentored under noted artists Tim Paul, Rob Hamilton, Dempsey Bob, Alvin Mack, Stan Bevan and Ken McNeil. Robinson uses his art to tell stories of supernatural, potlatch societies, as well as the land and the sea in his artwork. His work is represented in private, corporate and public collections in Canada.
Latham Mack is Nuxalk First Nation from Bella Coola; a small coastal village in central British Columbia. His traditional name is Quuluun (Beaver) and he is a member of the Grizzly Bear and Raven clans. He was inspired by his culture, participating in traditional dancing and starting to carve at a young age. Latham received his diploma from the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art and has been a recipient of the YVR Art Foundation Scholarship. His earliest influences were Harvey Mack, Alvin Mack and hereditary chief and grandfather Lawrence Mack. Other mentors include Stan Bevan, Ken McNeil, Dempsey Bob, Glenn Tallio, and Roy Henry Vickers. Latham states: ‘I believe with the knowledge I have gained from my teachers and mentors I have the ability to form my own unique style with each piece I complete.’ (Photo: Latham Mack, 2022 First Nations Art Award recipient)