The world-class view at the Malahat Skywalk naturally needed the surroundings to be enhanced by world-class art of a cultural significance.
ThatB次元官网网址檚 where StzB次元官网网址檜minus First NationB次元官网网址檚 master carver John Marston of Chemainus came into the picture.
B次元官网网址淚n the beginning we obviously wanted to recognize weB次元官网网址檙e on the traditional lands of the Malahat and Coast Salish people,B次元官网网址� said Skywalk general manager Ken Bailey.
B次元官网网址淥ne of the ways you can recognize the cultural significance is through their carvings.B次元官网网址�
The Malahat First Nation was consulted about a carver who might fit the bill for accentuating the IslandB次元官网网址檚 newest tourist facility with works reflective of the regionB次元官网网址檚 rich Indigenous history. The discussion started and ended with Marston.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an honour for me to be able to be part of public projects like that,B次元官网网址� said Marston. B次元官网网址淚 take the opportunity it gives our nations to talk about our history and who we are.B次元官网网址�
Bailey started with the Skywalk project in November of 2018 and planning included meeting with Marston to talk about his work. Installations were done about three weeks prior to the SkywalkB次元官网网址檚 opening in July, with an unveiling the day before opening.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a long process of conversation getting to know him and him getting to know us,B次元官网网址� said Bailey.
B次元官网网址淲e were very fortunate John aligned with us on so many things and he was a well-respected and well-known carver in the culture in the community. It was fortunate for us to build a relationship with him so quickly.B次元官网网址�
Two pieces by Marston, with assistance from Moy Sutherland, grace the facility.
One is a canoe that hangs in the rafters of the cafe and gift shop. ItB次元官网网址檚 a project Marston designed in 2006 and initially started in 2008. It was about 60 per cent complete.
B次元官网网址淥ther projects came along and the canoe sat in the back and I worked on it here and there,B次元官网网址� said Marston.
Finishing it worked out perfectly as part of his commitment to the Skywalk.
Concepts were submitted for the main carving to be placed outside the ticket booth before one was eventually chosen.
B次元官网网址淲e did three different concepts and that one really seemed to match up with what Malahat First Nations was hoping for with history and the importance of canoe culture,B次元官网网址� said Marston.
Called The Thundering Prow, itB次元官网网址檚 a remarkable work of art and requires a close look to see the different components of the thunderbird, the canoe and salmon interconnected within one old-growth piece of wood from Nitinat.
B次元官网网址淔ortunately, I had planned it out from the beginning and it went smoothly, but it was a huge amount of work,B次元官网网址� added Marston.
B次元官网网址淲e gave him complete artistic freedom,B次元官网网址� noted Bailey. B次元官网网址淲e didnB次元官网网址檛 have a pre-determined idea of what that sculpture was going to look like. We were so pleased with how it turned out.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an important thing for us as First Nations to talk to the general public that weB次元官网网址檝e been here thousands of years,B次元官网网址� explained Marston.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 really important to have that thunderbird and canoe thatB次元官网网址檚 held so sacred by Malahat. It represents the thunderbirdB次元官网网址檚 home. ItB次元官网网址檚 also part of honouring our history.
B次元官网网址淐anoes are such a big part of our culture. It was interesting to work with the idea of canoe and sculpture.B次元官网网址�
Marston was there on the opening day of the Skywalk with his family and it was a proud moment to see his work displayed so prominently.
Passholders feel a strong connection to be shared.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 also something they want to be proud of to bring friends and family,B次元官网网址� noted Bailey.
The Malahat Skywalk features a 600 metre elevated TreeWalk with interpretive features throughout, leading to a 32 m tall spiral tower with views from a 360 degree lookout and a return via the Nature Trail at ground level through the forest as conditions allow.
As the Skywalk continues to evolve as a cultural and tourist destination, visitors can expect more additions to the attraction.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e talked about engaging with younger carvers in the future and bringing out other pieces,B次元官网网址� said Bailey.
B次元官网网址淔or us, our vision has been to be a nature-based experience. A fundamental piece of that is sharing the Indigenous experience. TheyB次元官网网址檙e a fundamental piece of where we come from and where weB次元官网网址檙e going in the future.B次元官网网址�
