‘Living Traditions’ exhibition showcases Indigenous art in Courtenay

The exhibition is presented by the Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery, located at 2926 Back Road, between Comox and East Courtenay. (Supplied)

A new art exhibition from the Spirits of the West Coast Gallery is showcasing Northwest Coast Indigenous art and the cultures behind it.

Living Traditions officially opens October 29th in  downtown Courtenay at the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Hub. To mark the opening day, featured artist Rod Smith, from Wuikineux First Nation, is holding an artist talk from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Sarah Callow, the gallery manager, said each piece reflects a rich history passed down through generations. 

“It's an excellent opportunity to just experience some beautiful quality artwork. Each art piece  is really a reflection of a long history, and that's why we titled the exhibition Living Traditions. It's a rich history that has been passed down to these artists that they express through their work, and that hopefully they'll continue passing along to the next generation,” said Callow. 

The exhibition features work by Indigenous artists from across Vancouver Island. 

“So what this exhibition carries is a number of pieces of art from artists from the North Vancouver Island, so that’s the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation, Southern Vancouver Island, the Coast Salish, the West Coast, which is the Nuu-chah-nulth, as well as some pieces of Haida origin up north and a few other nations as well,” said Callow. 

Callow said visitors can see how different nations express their histories through distinct art styles and stories.

“And so even though there are similarities across the different nations, each one has its own rich history, and you can see reflected in the pieces some differences in terms of the stories that are represented and the style of the pieces,” said Callow. 

Artwork from ten different artists will be featured. The exhibition brings together hand-carved masks, paddles, panels and prints. 

The exhibition aligns with the gallery’s mission to support Indigenous artists and create a space for them to share their creative expressions. 

Callow said the works also demonstrate how traditional art forms continue to be part of Indigenous cultural practices today.

“Traditionally and historically, the Indigenous peoples, they've always been carving and creating, for a variety of purposes. Some may be practical, but many often ceremonial. And so, you know, for example, masks will be carved and then danced as part of potlatch ceremonies, and artists are still carving these masks and still dancing them in these ceremonies,” said Callow. 

The exhibition runs until December 23th. It is located at the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Hub at 576 England Avenue, open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

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