Gifts from the Ancestors
Debut solo exhibition by Ha’wilh Way’anis Joshua Watts
accompanied by Welcome Song, a poem by Linnea Jericho
at the Victoria Arts Council Gallery on Store Street.
September 9 - October 30, 2022.
Debut solo exhibition by Ha’wilh Way’anis Joshua Watts
accompanied by Welcome Song, a poem by Linnea Jericho
at the Victoria Arts Council Gallery on Store Street.
September 9 - October 30, 2022.
September 9 was a day-long celebration of feasting, ceremony and sharing at the Victoria Arts Council Gallery. With the gallery darkened to evoke a long house, the carvings, prints and sculpture leapt forward. Watts expressed gratitude to the arts council for supporting his life’s work. “These artworks are part of my journey that focuses on cultural revival and mentoring Indigenous youth,” he says.
Watts is a professional artist with both Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Coast Salish heritage. He grew up in Squamish away from his traditional territories and culture. Assisted by emerging artist grants, Watts studied with a variety of accomplished Indigenous artists, including Ray Natraoro, Wayne Alfred, Cory Bulpitt, Gordon Dick and Joe Martin. Hereditary chief Beau Dick, renowned Kwakwaka’wakw carver, was an early mentor. Dick shared technical skills and cultural teachings with Watts. Today, the artist works in a variety of media, including masks, house fronts, totem poles, spindle whorls and limited-edition prints. He also constructed a full-size canoe.
Kegan McFadden is entering his fourth year as Executive Director of the Victoria Arts Council (VAC). This year the VAC received an Lieutenant Governor’s Art and Music Award. The award recognized the art organization’s success in fostering an inclusive and connected community. “Gifts from the Ancestors supports the VAC mandate to champion regional and BC artists,” says McFadden.
An Arts Impact grant from the BC Arts council enabled the VAC to commission a new body of work from Watts. These recent works include beautiful hand-pulled silkscreen prints, in low editions of 100 for sale at the gallery. The funding also supports the production of a book, which will launch in late October as the show closes. The book is a collaboration between Watts and his partner Linnea Jericho.
Nuu-Chah-Nulth nations maintain a close relationship with wolves. “Our people believe we are descended from wolves,” Watts says. The larger mask on the left, with cascading fur, is the male wolf. Male and female wolf masks are often danced together on the floor. The rights and responsibilities of families with wolf lineage are expressed through these dances.
Legends describe a time when no salmon returned to West Coast rivers. Facing starvation, the ancestors journeyed by canoe to the supernatural village of the salmon people, entreating them to return. The salmon beings agreed as long as strict protocols were followed to honour their bodily sacrifice. These ceremonies and rituals are still practiced today.
Portrait masks are often used in Nuu-Chah-Nulth culture to tell stories and convey teachings. The Ancestor Mask (pictured here) has been carved using traditional proportions and painting styles. Beside the Ancestor Mask on the gallery wall is a Nuu-Chah-Nulth Portrait Mask. Visitors to the exhibition can compare these two masks. The artist has added a contemporary look to the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Portrait Mask by altering some features and dimensions.
Portrait masks are often used in Nuu-Chah-Nulth culture to tell stories and convey teachings. The Ancestor Mask (pictured here) has been carved using traditional proportions and painting styles. Beside the Ancestor Mask on the gallery wall is a Nuu-Chah-Nulth Portrait Mask. Visitors to the exhibition can compare these two masks. The artist has added a contemporary look to the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Portrait Mask by altering some features and dimensions.
In 2019, Watts became curious about working with clay, a medium more common in other cultures. He received a scholarship to apprentice with sculptor Linda Lindsay. They worked for many months on the Bukwus clay sculpture, before firing the piece and applying the finish. The Bukwus, or “wild man of the woods” is a fearsome creature that feeds on human souls. Perfecting the dynamic crouching position and expressive facial features took time and patience. Lindsay also instructed Watts about anatomy and proportion using an Indigenous life model. “Sharing my knowledge with Joshua was an honour,” she says. “We both learned from each other, finding common ground within our cultural differences.”
The Mask of Mourning pays tribute to family losses in Watts’ personal life. The exhibition includes a short documentary film that follows the making of the mask. The film features a poem written by the artist, speaking about the grieving process.
Created in 2013, Hinkeetsum was Watts’ first major solo project. He was inspired to make the mask after seeing two brothers dance their family’s Hinkeetsum. The dancing ignited Watts’ own connection to his ancestors. Hinkeetsum is lightning emanating from the Teetskin (thunderbird). The snake-like flashes are part of the sacred teachings given to The Whaling People, known as Nuu-Chah-Nulth. These instructions gave skills for success in the hunting of whales and sea mammals.
The Companion’s Purse belongs to Linnea Jericho, Joshua’s partner. The purse was assembled by Linnea’s father, the late Beau Dick. The mouse image on the front was painted by Watts, as well as the pair of wolves on the back. The two wolves represent the relationship between the partners.
Both Joshua and Linnea shared their insights and cultural knowledge with audiences.
Each offered an on-line talk as part of the VAC's Creative Mornings lecture series:
Each offered an on-line talk as part of the VAC's Creative Mornings lecture series:
On Friday 30 September, 11:00 Joshua Watts greeted Creative Mornings guests. He spoke eloquently about the richness of his culture, and the meaning and history behind cultural objects. "A mask is not just a beautiful creation," he says, "but a conduit for deeper meanings." Main points included the best way to research Indigenous artists and culture. Make sure to use Indigenous sources in print and person. He recommended several resource publications. Joshua is open to chatting with interested people about his culture and background. He can be contacted through his website. Thank you Joshua!
On Friday 28 October, 11:00 Linnea Jericho is spoke in depth on the topic of "Ethos". Ethos is the characteristic spirit of an era culture and community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations. Jerrico noted that for Indigenous people, Ethos is well-represented in their teachings and stories. As an oral culture, many stories show Ethos because they often have a spiritual origin, a trustworthy source of information. Ethos is a triangle balanced by Logos (reason) and Pathos (values and belief)
Thank you Linnea for describing how Ethos fits into your personal life and career.
To register for future Creative Mornings use the link or email [email protected]
On Friday 28 October, 11:00 Linnea Jericho is spoke in depth on the topic of "Ethos". Ethos is the characteristic spirit of an era culture and community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations. Jerrico noted that for Indigenous people, Ethos is well-represented in their teachings and stories. As an oral culture, many stories show Ethos because they often have a spiritual origin, a trustworthy source of information. Ethos is a triangle balanced by Logos (reason) and Pathos (values and belief)
Thank you Linnea for describing how Ethos fits into your personal life and career.
To register for future Creative Mornings use the link or email [email protected]
Visit Joshua's website and on-line store HERE
Victoria Arts Council, 1800 Store Street, Victoria, BC V8T 4R4. Phone: 778-533-7123
Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 12:00-5:00.
Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 11:00-5:00
Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 12:00-5:00.
Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 11:00-5:00
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