- Story by Hans Tammemagi Photography by Don Denton
A grand vision helps set Peninsula-based artist Archie Andrew aside from other gifted artists. Although he is prolific B次元官网网址� having made hundreds of art pieces, including four totem poles B次元官网网址� heB次元官网网址檚 recently set his goal higher. He is planning a canoe far bigger than any ever built before by the West Coast Indigenous people. ItB次元官网网址檚 an ambitious project but Archie has the vision and skill to achieve it.
WeB次元官网网址檙e sitting on the porch of the house where Archie, a painter and carver of the Tsartlip First Nation, is temporarily renting a flat. A large cedar eagle, looking noble with its wings slightly spread, dominates the table even though it is still unfinished. Archie shows me several other pieces, including a bear plaque painted in bold red and black, and a rattle in the shape of an eagle, all of which boast fine lines and imaginative designs.
Archie is a fit-looking 44-year-old with a dark moustache, goatee and black hair pulled into a ponytail. Although soft-spoken, his eyes reflect a confident determination. He grew up on the Tsartlip reserve near Brentwood Bay, embedded in SaanichB次元官网网址檚 Indigenous culture. Archie speaks the SEN膯O纽EN language, although he quickly adds, B次元官网网址渘ot very well.B次元官网网址�
| Artist Archie Andrew holds a print made from one of his original paintings. Don Denton photography |
But he showed a talent and interest for art from an early age, and made drawings for his classmates. He sold his first piece at age 20.
His training followed the Native way: rather than taking a college course, he worked hands-on with talented mentors. He was guided by two respected carvers, Charles Elliott and Doug LaFortune, and trained with Floyd Joseph for six years, often carving entire days.
B次元官网网址淎rt is the backbone of my life, and it has kept me out of trouble,B次元官网网址� he says.
I can see from the pieces on the table and from pictures he shows me on his cell phone that he has abundant creativity and skill.
Archie moved around the province for 17 years, teaching Native art in the BC school system. During this time, he continued pursuing carving and painting. He makes his own tools and knives, and has produced numerous works. His pieces were regularly displayed at the Turtle Island Gallery in Kelowna until it closed. His favourite piece is a large, killer-whale helmet, which is about two feet tall with the dorsal fin, and is worn on the head.
Most recently, he designed the logo for the World Rowing Coastal Championships held in Sidney in October. It is called B次元官网网址淪pirit of the Killer WhaleB次元官网网址� and shows three stylized orcas with the Orca Spirit in the blow holes.
B次元官网网址淜iller whales live in the waters next to the Saanich Peninsula and play a significant role in Tsartlip culture,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淥rcas are powerful. They respect family, and work well together. Thus, they are good representatives for the rowing teams in their races.B次元官网网址�
| Artist Archie Andrew wears a scarf with a design made from one of his original artworks. Don Denton photography |
At present, ArchieB次元官网网址檚 future is unclear, bound in mist. To support his carving and painting, he has a part-time job here, but he misses his 18-month-old daughter, Mara, who lives in Bella Coola. And he adds, B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 hard to get good cedar here.B次元官网网址�
Although Archie is prolific, he presently has no studio or commercial outlets. He depends on word of mouth and private sales. His work can be seen on his FaceBook page, Westwind Carvings, and he is developing a website at westwindcarvingsaa.com.
Our conversation turns to his grand vision B次元官网网址� a monumental canoe that is 100 feet long, has two 60-foot outriggers and can hold up to 100 paddlers. Loo Taas, the famous canoe built by Bill Reid, for example, is large at 50 feet, but still smaller than one of ArchieB次元官网网址檚 envisioned outriggers.
B次元官网网址淢y great-great-grandmother inspired this vision,B次元官网网址� Archie explains. B次元官网网址淪he came from Hawaii and must have travelled in a boat similar to this.B次元官网网址�
Archie plans to construct scale models first, and has already found a site where he can build the full-size canoe. He announced his visionary canoe at the World Rowing Coastal Championships and hopes to attract fellow craftsmen and supporters.
Leaving, I sense ArchieB次元官网网址檚 quiet determination and feel that with his lofty goal, he is an artist apart. I wish him the best in transforming his dream into reality B次元官网网址� and silently hope that one day I can be a paddler in his giant canoe.
For more of writer Han TammemagiB次元官网网址檚 work check out his .
| Artist Archie Andrew holds one of his artworks. Don Denton photography |
