New Vancouver Canucks goalie Braden Holtby will be sporting a new mask, designed in collaboration by Vancouver Island Indigenous artist, Luke Marston, and NHL mask artist David Gunnarsson.
HoltbyB次元官网网址檚 initial mask attempt, featuring an Indigenous thunderbird design, was greeted with controversy. The thunderbird mask was not created in collaboration with an Indigenous artist, which led many to criticize it for cultural appropriation. Holtby apologized, and committed to working with a Coast Salish artist on a new mask.
When Marston, a member of the Ladysmith-area StzB次元官网网址檜minus First Nation, first saw the thunderbird mask, he was surprised to learn an Indigenous artist wasnB次元官网网址檛 involved.
B次元官网网址淚t was cool that he wanted to put native art on his mask, but he just went about it the wrong way,B次元官网网址� Marston said. B次元官网网址淭hey just didnB次元官网网址檛 know that itB次元官网网址檇 be so offensive to people appropriating an art form like that.B次元官网网址�
The new mask features a design inspired by the Coast Salish legend of the sea wolf B次元官网网址� a pack of wolves that can transform into killer whales. Marston has said the story represents families travelling together, and hunting on land and sea.
B次元官网网址淓very time I do something for somebody I talk about what they want. [Holtby] asked me to share some stories with him about different things. He wanted something that was more universal, legends that every one has,B次元官网网址� Marston said.
B次元官网网址淚 started telling him about the orca B次元官网网址� because of the Canucks and the orca B次元官网网址� everyone on the coast kind of has a version of that. A lot of nations on the Island like Nuu-Chah-Nulth, KwakwakaB次元官网网址檞akw B次元官网网址� up and down the coast everyone has a version of orcas transforming into wolves, and hunting the land and ocean in packs and pods.B次元官网网址�
Marston asked if Holtby wanted to revisit the thunderbird design, but Holbty wanted to start with something new. Holtby was hooked by the legend of the sea wolf, as itB次元官网网址檚 a fitting metaphor for the Canucks as a team.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 what he liked about it. I told him B次元官网网址榶ou guys are on the hunt this yearB次元官网网址�,B次元官网网址� Marston said.
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Both an away mask and a home mask are being designed. Each will feature unique Coast Salish designs. Marston hinted that the away mask may feature a Coast Salish eagle design.
Marston and the Canucks hoped to have the home mask ready for the NHL season opener against the Edmonton Oilers, but the mask is still being equipped with the proper protective padding. In a tweet, the Canucks said that the mask will B次元官网网址榙ebut in games soonB次元官网网址�.
This beauty will debut in games soon. 馃槏
B次元官网网址� Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks)
For now, enjoy a sneak peek of HoltbyB次元官网网址檚 new mask - a collaboration between Coast Salish artist, Luke Marston, & . Inspired by the legend of the orcas & the wolves, transforming in packs to hunt the land & in the ocean.
Marston said that working on the goalie mask was a fun experience for him. When creating traditional masks the work is more serious. Working on HoltbyB次元官网网址檚 mask gave him the opportunity to blend tradition with mainstream society.
B次元官网网址淚t was super fun and exciting. I was texting with Holtby, and talking to the CanuckB次元官网网址檚 brass about everything. Collaborating with David Gunnarsson was great. ItB次元官网网址檚 not just me that did it, it was a collaboration between myself, Gunnarsson and Holtby.B次元官网网址�
In 2015, Marston unveiled his Shore to Shore sculpture in Stanley Park, a 14-foot bronze-cast sculpture that honours the link between Portuguese and Coast Salish First Nations cultures. At the unveiling Marston met Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini.
When Marston saw the controversy around HoltbyB次元官网网址檚 thunderbird mask, he reached out to Aquilini and offered to work on a new mask with authentic Coast Salish designs.
B次元官网网址淚 love that fact that Francesco, the Canucks, and everyone involved respect First Nations and our art form enough to correct this and address it,B次元官网网址� Marston said.
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