Cole Speck reclined in his seat as he contemplated a small wooden mask he had yet to put the finishing touches on.
The artist, who occupies a studio on Wei Wai Kum First Nation land in Campbell River, is a captivating conversationalist willing to chat about everything ranging from his upbringing in Alert Bay, to forestry, to wealth, to aqua-dynamics.
He seems to prefer to talk about his mentors, and the impact they had on him, than discussing his own work.
Speck, 30, began carving at the age of 15, when fellow KwakwakaB次元官网网址檞akw artist, Beau Dick, took him under his wing.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 one of the grand masters of Northwest Coast carving,B次元官网网址� Speck volunteered. B次元官网网址淪o I was pretty fortunate to get that opportunity from him.
B次元官网网址淚t was a pretty eye-opening adventure for me, and has done a lot for me in my life.B次元官网网址�
His eyes brightened as he continued to heap praise upon Dick, who was also from Alert Bay.
B次元官网网址淗is art work is in every major collection period, and thatB次元官网网址檚 the guy I got to learn from,B次元官网网址� Speck said, proudly.
B次元官网网址淚 did a 10-year apprenticeship with him where I essentially lived with him right up until his passing.B次元官网网址�
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Working with masters like Dick, and Wayne Alfred, has allowed Speck to travel the world, assisting in the creation of pieces exhibited in far-flung locations like Holland, Germany, Greece, Brazil, and New York.
While the globe-trotting he has done affected his outlook, the mask carvings from which Speck has gained a stellar reputation, have remained quite traditional.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very rigid in how I approach those pieces,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no sense in trying to reinvent the wheel.B次元官网网址�
Speck typically starts with a piece of red cedar, which he noted is the most B次元官网网址榝orgivingB次元官网网址� of woods. He uses natural pigments where possible, and is continuously looking to the stories of his ancestors for inspiration.
Like all good art, SpeckB次元官网网址檚 pieces elicit strong reactions. They are adorned with loud colours, extreme features, and can come across as terrifying, bewildering, and wondrous at once.
A large unfinished painting of a giant face with a gaping mouth sits on an easel in the studio. Upon entrance it grabs ones attention immediately.
Speck says its a prototype for a series of paintings he plans to work on detailing his thoughts on economic systems.
B次元官网网址淚t shows the constant eating, and constant absorbing of everything, representing the endless greed that capitalism has,B次元官网网址� he said.
Growing up in Alert Bay, he witnessed the transition from boom to bust town, and it left an indelible mark on him.
B次元官网网址淚 watched the whole collapse of the fishing industry,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t went from everyone having money to nobody having money.
B次元官网网址淏ecause people there lacked inter-generational wealth, there were people who came into money during the big fishing years, but didnB次元官网网址檛 know how to manage it.B次元官网网址�
Future plans for Speck involve becoming as successful as possible and then giving back to the community he called home as a youngster.
B次元官网网址淚 want to reach the upper echelons of the art world, and then IB次元官网网址檓 going to go home to Alert Bay to try and help the kids,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 my hope, because (art) has literally pulled me out of poverty, and allowed me to put myself in a position where in a sense IB次元官网网址檓 an ambassador for my nation and for my people.B次元官网网址�
ronan.odoherty@campbellrivermirror.com
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