šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square
North of the Vancouver Art Gallery
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šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square
North of the Vancouver Art Gallery
Animation loading may take a moment
Thank you for your patience.
The Métis people are known as the "Flower Beadwork People''. We are joyful and happy like the rabbit. The rabbits in this work are decorated with intricate Métis beadwork designs. Each bead, flower and animal are a part of something greater. There is a glass spirit bead hidden—in traditional Métis beadwork, it is an off-colour or misplaced bead. The spirit bead symbolizes humility and it reminds us: humans are not perfect. Therefore, we need to learn to be mindful that each day is an opportunity to make improvements in ourselves for the betterment of “All of Our Relations”.
In Asian culture, 2023 is the Year of the "Water" Rabbit. Natural elements and animal motifs are important to Indigenous culture. This work acknowledges the Seven Grandfather Teachings: a belief system providing structure and guidance so one can live a life that is balanced mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Like the rabbits we strive for hope, peace, equality and balance for all living things. Life is better together!
From a young age, Phyllis would draw animals from nature walks through her family’s farm with a pencil. Her intention is for people to reconnect and to embrace their own memories and experiences with nature—no matter their background. The animal motifs and colourful, symmetrical Métis floral beadwork paintings are her interpretation of humankind's connections to nature. It's her way of showing respect and celebrating the diversity of wildlife and natural plants here on Turtle Island. Plants and animals provide an abundance of gifts that include clean air, water, food, and medicines that help us to survive and stay alive.
“As Canada’s ‘Flower Beadwork People’, the spirit of our old ones lives on in their grandchildren. It is celebrated in contemporary Métis arts and crafts, dancing, hunting, berry picking and language revitalization. So, as a Metis mother, Kokum, educator, sister, auntie and artist, I dedicate this series of paintings to our ancestors who passed down their gifts of knowledge, and to our present-day Métis artisans who bead and work hard to reclaim our beautiful floral Metis beadwork.
Thank you for letting me share my art with you!”
(Photo credit: Mark Greschner)
People gather from everywhere,
Striking poses like they just don’t care,
Everyone is invited,
Even the tiger and the hare.
Translated, phulkari means “flower work” — a folk art made traditionally by women to weave stories of culture and community. Angela Aujla hopes viewers’ own unique stories will emerge from what they see within this piece, while collectively, we follow the diverse threads, branches, and streams within our communities to new growth.
Ocean Hyland is an artist who works in the realms of painting and digital design. She also enjoys participating in language revitalization of Coast Salish languages. She currently lives in Qualicum Bay on Vancouver Island.
As a young woman, Ocean received the ancestral name ts;simtelot which was shared with her by her Mother. This name has been passed down through her family on her Cheam side. On her matrilineal side, she is Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, Cheam, Hawaiian, and Chinese. Through her father, she is Scottish and Irish. The richness and diversity of her cultural heritage is what inspires Ocean in her many art practices.
Ocean has studied at both Native education college specializing in NWC jewelry arts, and at Simon Fraser University focusing on the sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim, building up her proficiency in one of her mother tongues. She has also gained valuable knowledge apprenticing with creators Zachary George and Aaron Nelson Moody.
Jessie Recalma / Xwulqsheynum
Jessie Recalma is a Coast Salish artist and a member of Qualicum First nation. Jessie grew up watching his grandfather create Indigenous works of art. His grandfather shared this knowledge and passed on the tools to Jessie, which sparked his passion for carving. A carving knife that his grandfather gifted to him would be the first of many carving tools that are now used to create a unique blend of contemporary and traditional Coast Salish style. While carving is one of Jessie’s favourite mediums to work with, he also devotes his time to painting, digital design, and Indigenous languages. Jessie currently works out of his home studio.
(Tsleil-Waututh Nation & Qualicum First Nation)
The shapes that we see construct the world we interpret. These shapes are handed down to us from our ancestors and the world around us; they are gifts given to us to share stories and visions of what we encounter in our lives. Stars shine, rain drops fall, thunderbirds grace the sky, the energy of our ancestors flows all around us. These designs represent the power of imagination and they surround us in the Year of the Rabbit.
[to dream]
The Métis people are known as the "Flower Beadwork People''. We are joyful and happy like the rabbit. The rabbits in this work are decorated with intricate Métis beadwork designs. Each bead, flower and animal are a part of something greater. There is a glass spirit bead hidden—in traditional Métis beadwork, it is an off-colour or misplaced bead. The spirit bead symbolizes humility and it reminds us: humans are not perfect. Therefore, we need to learn to be mindful that each day is an opportunity to make improvements in ourselves for the betterment of “All of Our Relations”.
In Asian culture, 2023 is the Year of the "Water" Rabbit. Natural elements and animal motifs are important to Indigenous culture. This work acknowledges the Seven Grandfather Teachings: a belief system providing structure and guidance so one can live a life that is balanced mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Like the rabbits we strive for hope, peace, equality and balance for all living things. Life is better together!
From a young age, Phyllis would draw animals from nature walks through her family’s farm with a pencil. Her intention is for people to reconnect and to embrace their own memories and experiences with nature—no matter their background. The animal motifs and colourful, symmetrical Métis floral beadwork paintings are her interpretation of humankind's connections to nature. It's her way of showing respect and celebrating the diversity of wildlife and natural plants here on Turtle Island. Plants and animals provide an abundance of gifts that include clean air, water, food, and medicines that help us to survive and stay alive.
“As Canada’s ‘Flower Beadwork People’, the spirit of our old ones lives on in their grandchildren. It is celebrated in contemporary Métis arts and crafts, dancing, hunting, berry picking and language revitalization. So, as a Metis mother, Kokum, educator, sister, auntie and artist, I dedicate this series of paintings to our ancestors who passed down their gifts of knowledge, and to our present-day Métis artisans who bead and work hard to reclaim our beautiful floral Metis beadwork.
Thank you for letting me share my art with you!”
(Photo credit: Mark Greschner)
People gather from everywhere,
Striking poses like they just don’t care,
Everyone is invited,
Even the tiger and the hare.
Translated, phulkari means “flower work” — a folk art made traditionally by women to weave stories of culture and community. Angela Aujla hopes viewers’ own unique stories will emerge from what they see within this piece, while collectively, we follow the diverse threads, branches, and streams within our communities to new growth.
(Tsleil-Waututh Nation & Qualicum First Nation)
The shapes that we see construct the world we interpret. These shapes are handed down to us from our ancestors and the world around us; they are gifts given to us to share stories and visions of what we encounter in our lives. Stars shine, rain drops fall, thunderbirds grace the sky, the energy of our ancestors flows all around us. These designs represent the power of imagination and they surround us in the Year of the Rabbit.
Ocean Hyland is an artist who works in the realms of painting and digital design. She also enjoys participating in language revitalization of Coast Salish languages. She currently lives in Qualicum Bay on Vancouver Island.
As a young woman, Ocean received the ancestral name ts;simtelot which was shared with her by her Mother. This name has been passed down through her family on her Cheam side. On her matrilineal side, she is Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, Cheam, Hawaiian, and Chinese. Through her father, she is Scottish and Irish. The richness and diversity of her cultural heritage is what inspires Ocean in her many art practices.
Ocean has studied at both Native education college specializing in NWC jewelry arts, and at Simon Fraser University focusing on the sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim, building up her proficiency in one of her mother tongues. She has also gained valuable knowledge apprenticing with creators Zachary George and Aaron Nelson Moody.
Jessie Recalma / Xwulqsheynum
Jessie Recalma is a Coast Salish artist and a member of Qualicum First nation. Jessie grew up watching his grandfather create Indigenous works of art. His grandfather shared this knowledge and passed on the tools to Jessie, which sparked his passion for carving. A carving knife that his grandfather gifted to him would be the first of many carving tools that are now used to create a unique blend of contemporary and traditional Coast Salish style. While carving is one of Jessie’s favourite mediums to work with, he also devotes his time to painting, digital design, and Indigenous languages. Jessie currently works out of his home studio.
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