The City of Victoria have awarded Vancouver-based, mother and son Musqueam First Nation artist team, Susan Point and Thomas Cannell, for their Woven Together proposal to create contemporary First Nations artwork to enhance the exterior of the Johnson Street Parkade.
Susan Point and Thomas Cannell are professional artists with more than 40 years’ experience combined.
Woven Together was one of 110 proposals the City received in response to the national Call to Artists to create new public artwork to beautify Johnson Street Parkade. The artwork will be installed in April 2016.
The winners were selected using the national three-stage competition City’s Art in Public Places Policy and was juried by a selection committee of seven individuals, consisting of visual art instructors, an urban design professional, local artists, a business owner and a member of the Victoria Youth Council.
About “Woven Together”
Woven Together will consist of colourful, powder-coated aluminum circular forms that are often used in Coast Salish art to represent the cycle of life, but also the traditional weaving spindle whorl and transportation. Colour will play a significant role in symbolizing cultures and different beliefs around the world, all coming together to complete the circle.
The centre will be made up of four eye motifs that create four butterfly images symbolizing the ability to accept change, metamorphosis, and the beauty of nature. The number four is important within First Nations culture as it represents the four winds, seasons, directions, elements, moons and peoples.
The artwork will be approximately six metres wide by eight metres high.
The budget for the completed artwork is $125,000, which will cover the design, production, installation and administrative costs, and is funded by the City’s Art in Public Places Reserve Fund.
