#representationmatters: An Indigenous Art Exhibit: Artists & Introductions
WE are EXCITED to be able to introduce the 10 Indigenous youth artists that will be featured in the #representationmatters: An Artist Exhibit that will take place in October and November.
Over the next six weeks these artists will each be creating a new piece of artwork while also collaborating through weekly online gatherings. These meetings each week will be a community building space where artists can network and receive mentorship from other established artists and elders.
Follow the @SNIWWOC instagram and the SNIWWOC fb page to stay tuned for more updates and to follow their journey over the next six weeks!
This program is possible thanks to funding from First People’s Cultural Council (FPCC).
Tyrone Elliot
Ancestral name Tiwuxiwulh, is a Cedar bark weaver from Snuneymuxw' and Quw'utsun. He has resided on Lekwungen territory for the past 3 years. Taught to weave by his Mother, Violet Elliott, from a very young age, Tyrone has over 20 years working with Cedar bark and other natural materials. He is currently reclaiming his language, Hul'q'umi'num, and incorporating it into his Work as he learns. Much of the Teachings that Tyrone has incorporated into his life have been derived from Cedar weaving, harvesting and other land-based Teachings. In co-facilitating with his mother, and eventually facilitating his own workshops, Tyrone's aim has been to impart a loving connection with Cedar and the land, and also to convey how Indigenous Laws derive and correlate with and from land based Teaching such as Cedar weaving.
Hay ch q'u.
Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé
Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé (b. 1992) is a proud Upper Tanana member of the White River First Nation of Beaver Creek, Yukon and Alaska. Teresa is a mostly self-taught artist however her Grandma Marilyn, an Elder and residential school Survivor, encouraged her to start by providing her with supplies and templates. Teresa primarily works with beads and other natural materials but she also enjoys indigenizing colonial garbage, by adding beads to found objects. In 2016, she received an Emerging Artist Scholarship from the YVR Art Foundation and in 2019 she received her second. Teresa currently resides in Lekwungen Territory where she is hoping to further establish her career as an emerging artist and curator.
John Velten
John Velten was born and raised in Coquitlam, John has been an illustrator from a young age. Possessing over 10 years of drawing and illustrative practice, three years of fine arts production and one year of event producing experience. John’s studied Business and Fine Arts production under the mentorship of Alano Edzerza and Design Foundations through the mentorship of Rick Adkins. He continues his practice carving and sculpting with Phil Gray. Throughout the year of 2019, John’s involvement with the community has been providing & facilitating meetups for artists, providing spaces for creatives to pull together in the genres of visual art, music, dance and storytelling. He currently is studying part-time at the Visual College of Art and Design in the 3D modelling and animation program. John works independently as a graphic artist, photographer and fine artist. Has been commissioned by the City of Vancouver for a large scale mural and utility box installation in 2019. Recently a recipient of the MOA’s shop emerging artists T shirts contest for his Hummingbird design. John's ancestry stems from the Northwest Territories Déne Nation.
Cassandra “Kaas” Cross
“Creating projects about the struggles of the land and peoples through supernatural and symbolicstory telling, using community and cultural support.”
Cassandra “Kaas” Cross is a First Nations female artist with over 6 years experience working in the film industry as a Director, Editor, Photographer, Cinematographer, and Music Composer. Cassandra has previously produced promo videos, music videos and assisted with the creation of other people's content. She is currently in the post-production stage of her documentary “Mental Hellth”, where her and her co-producer bring to light the struggles of marginalized men and the effects their mental states have on themselves and their community. She has also completed a short doc called “Mural Life” and another short doc called “Dance With Me” for Telus Storyhive. Cassandra holds a Degree in the Arts and is also a certified drone operator.In 2020 Cassandra is now looking to enhance her experience through training and professional development that will assist in progressing her career forward as a professional artist.
Kristy Crawford
Kristy Crawford, Haida artist, is from the Eagle K'aawaas Clan of Kiusta, Haida Gwaii,B.C. Born and raised in Masset, she was exposed to art through out her life in many different ways, and she has a passion for learning new things.
This lead her to the Freda Diesing School of Fine Arts in 2009, where she learned how to draw, paint, and carve northwest coast art under the instruction of Stan Bevan, Ken McNeil, and Dempsey Bob. Kristy completed her certificate in 2010, then took time off to raise her daughter. Later, she then completed her diploma in 2014.
She is now continuing her studies of Haida Art, learning from her mentor and husband James Crawford, whom she met in Art school. She currently resides in Victoria, B.C., working as a full time artist, raising her two children. She produces many different types of art including carving, painting, lino block printing, silk screen printing, photography, video production, knitting, and crocheting.
Artist Statement: “I have art flowing through my blood, I love creating new things. I was born and raised a proud Haida from Masset, Haida Gwaii, B.C. I have been creating my own take on traditional Haida Art in order to stay connected to my roots and to teach my children our Haida history."
Chantal Soloman
Her ancestors began to arrive in “British Columbia” circa 1925 via Eastern Turtle Island, Europe & Africa. Chantal Solomon roamed many mountains & coastlines with curiosity for the old ways of the land which lead her to study Herbal Medicine & various mediums of Visual Arts. Her work has been exhibited at the Comox Valley Art Gallery, the Richmond Museum and The Courtenay District Museum & Archives.Shes currently inspired to host opportunities to mend, vision & create through community herbalism & art workshops through Heart Seeds Creative. On her own she is working on screen printed textiles, painting and sculpture in Victoria, BC. www.chantalsolo.com
Mallory Blondeau
Mal is a Métis artist living in the territory of the Lekwungen speaking peoples (Victoria). Her artistic practice is inspired by the beauty of nature and her surroundings, and the traditional floral beadwork of her ancestors. Mal enjoys creating through multiple mediums, including: painting, beadwork, ceramics and digital illustration.
Rowan Hynds
Pronouns: She/Her, They/Them
Rowan is a Two-Spirited multidisciplinary artist who was born and raised as a guest on Lekwungen-speaking territory, where they still reside today. Their ancestry is Wikwemikong Anishinaabe and Irish, and their clan is wolf clan. Much of Rowan’s work as an artist is an expression of healing: all the messy, ugly, painful, beautiful, celebratory, and restorative parts of it. Through their creative practice, Rowan aims to explore the complicated nature of identity, and above all strives to create that which is honest, genuine, and authentic to their own experiences. Rowan believes that the relationship between artist and audience is one of mutual vulnerability, and as a result has an incredible capacity to foster community and encourage solidarity. Her ultimate endeavour is to understand herself, the world around her, and to be understood in return. Whether it’s inks, acrylics, verse or melody, Rowan can be found at their most Human when engaged in some form of story telling.
Dahlila Charlie
My Name is Dahlila Charlie and I am from Beecher Bay. I grew up surrounded by artistic and creative people which has inspired me to become an artist myself. The type of art work I like to create I draw from stories, myths and cultural teachings that incorporate Coast Salish form line with nature and realism in acrylic paint medium. Painting has always been a passion of mine I like creating personal artworks, as well as participating in different mural projects in Victoria. Through my artwork I can connect to my roots as an Indigenous woman and use it as a way to share my thoughts and ideas to evolve an artist.
Lajah Warren
Lajah Warren tᶱə nə sné. Čsə léʔə nə ɫ lək’ʷəniʔən. John Warren t̓ᶱə nə mén. Deirdre Warren t̓ᶱə nə tén.
My name is Lajah Warren. I am from Lekwungen territory. My father is John Warren and my mother is Deirdre Warren.
My relations here are to the Albany family from the Songhees Nation and the Warren family from the Esquimalt Nation. Originally, we are from the Chilcowitch family group. I also come from European, Cree, Metis, and Ojibwe descent. My father is a Coast Salish artist, who I have watched making paintings and carvings all my life. I am working towards my degree in Child and Youth Care with an indigenous specialization so that I can work within my community to provide an art-based lens to healing. Most of my artwork is inspired by land and water. Creating art has continuously supported me in my healing journey and helps me free myself of different emotions. Painting about people, land, sky, and water reminds me of our interconnectedness and reminds me that I am never alone.
