Celebration of Coast Salish Weavers at the Vancouver Art Gallery

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

A new exhibition celebrating the profound work of four local Salish weavers is on now at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

The exhibition—featuring the weavings of qʷənat, Angela George; Chepximiya Siyam’ Chief Janice George; Skwetsimeltxw Willard “Buddy” Joseph; and Qwasen, Debra Sparrow—offers an exploration of their artistic journeys and the cultural significance of Salish weaving historically and in the present. 

qʷənat, Angela George, Rivers Have Mouths, 2021, wool blend, Collection of Artists for Kids and Gordon Smith Gallery, Photo: Khim Mata Hipol, Courtesy of Artists for Kids and Gordon Smith Gallery
qʷənat, Angela George, Rivers Have Mouths, 2021, wool blend, Collection of Artists for Kids and Gordon Smith Gallery, Photo: Khim Mata Hipol, Courtesy of Artists for Kids and Gordon Smith Gallery

Celebration of Coast Salish Weavers at the Vancouver Art Gallery

  • Dates: On now until May 12, 2024
  • Address: Vancouver Art Gallery 750 Hornby St, Vancouver
  • Admission: Purchase tickets online or onsite. Visit on the first Friday night of every month for free admission with Free First Friday Nights.

Rooted Here: Woven from the Land provides a rich selection of works by these prominent artists that demonstrate both their connections to tradition and their capacity for innovation. For the artists this means understanding the integration of weaving into the social life of Salish communities and that the recovery and forward movement of each is dependent on the other. It also involves a recognition of Salish weaving’s deep connection to the land and the rich resources the land has provided from generation to generation. While the exhibition addresses the impact of colonialism on Salish weaving, it also highlights the resilience of these traditions and celebrates the vital roles played by the featured artists in its contemporary revival and renewal. 

The exhibition also offers audiences a rare glimpse into the significant roles these artists have played as collaborators in the design of the Vancouver Art Gallery’s new building. Their creative input extends to the woven facade of the new Gallery’s design, contributing to a rich and meaningful narrative that connects the architecture with the cultural heritage of the land. 

Also on now: Emily Carr: A Room of Her Own at the Vancouver Art Gallery

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