August 8–August 18, 2019
Artists: Shy Watters, Derek Georgeson, Levi Darrow Purjue
Reception: August 17 at 4:00 pm
Texem-ay is an exhibition of works by artists who live and work in the traditional territories of the shishalh nation. The Sunshine Coast Arts Council is delighted to be able to bring these artists together at the Doris Crowston Gallery for the first time. Although these artists have many things in common, a relationship to texem-ay or red cedar connects these artists whose practices reveal their reciprocity and respect for the tree of life.
Shyanne Watters, a member of shishalh (Sechelt) Nation who also has Squamish, Sliammon (Coast Salish) and Kwakwaka’wakw ancestry, weaves intricate designs and patterns from her rich cultural background. Her medium is cedar. Shy has passionately woven red and yellow cedar for well over 20 years and continues to explore her art with tenacity and enjoyment. The innovative patterns used by Shy’s cedar hats are popular and much of her work is sought after for cultural ceremonies. Here on the Sunshine Coast, Shy is well known for her work and she generously offers weaving courses throughout the year here on the coast and throughout B.C.
Derek Georgeson is a member of the Homalco First Nations. His carving mentors are his cousin’s Bill Blaney & Darren Blaney of Homalco. His Aboriginal ancestry is from Homalco / Sliammon / Sechelt / Squamish / Morricetown. He has been carving since 2006, and currently resides on the Sunshine Coast.
Levi Darrow Purjue is a self-taught painter and carver who works to develop complex images that connect his Tahltan and Shoshone heritage with his experiences growing up on Haida Gwaii. Levi’s carving journey began through a mentorship with Derek and the totem in progress is a collaboration between them.
The SCAC acknowledges that we gather and work on the unceded ancestral lands of the Coast Salish people, and the traditional territories of the Sechelt (shíshálh) and Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) First Nations. We are grateful guests on this land, and seek to work from a place of respect and responsibility to this privilege.
