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BԪַSense of belongingBԪַ: Vancouver commissions 21 Indigenous artists for public art

2023 BԪַPlatformsBԪַ initiative celebrates National Indigenous History Month
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Displayed on the exterior of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre is Tsleil-Waututh artist Olivia GeorgeBԪַs BԪַBee Humble.BԪַ ItBԪַs part of the launch of the 2023 BԪַPlatforms: Nine Places for SeeingBԪַ public art project, which for the first time since it began in 2010 is showcasing all Indigenous artists. June is National Indigenous History Month. (City of Vancouver)

Robin Roberts is currently at work on a pretty big project BԪַ heBԪַs one of 21 Indigenous artists that have been selected to have their work displayed throughout the City of Vancouver.

VancouverBԪַs BԪַPlatforms,BԪַ a public art program, is featuring all Indigenous artists for the first time in its history. Celebrating National Indigenous History Month, the city launched the 2023 program Thursday (June 8) at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Roberts said itBԪַs BԪַquite an honourBԪַ to be selected, as the BԪַrelationships between the city and the local Nations is paramount.BԪַ

BԪַWe need to honour the local artists and have more of the local representation in the city,BԪַ he explained. BԪַI think that it gives you a sense BԪַ especially for Indigenous people BԪַ it might give them a sense of home, or a sense of belonging within the community.BԪַ

Robin Roberts is one of 21 Indigenous artists that have been selected to have their work displayed throughout the City of Vancouver. The 2023 “Platforms” public art project, which for the first time since it began in 2010 is showcasing all Indigenous artists. June is National Indigenous History Month.
Robin Roberts is one of 21 Indigenous artists that have been selected to have their work displayed throughout the City of Vancouver. The 2023 BԪַPlatformsBԪַ public art project, which for the first time since it began in 2010 is showcasing all Indigenous artists. June is National Indigenous History Month.

Roberts planning to do two to four pieces, which will be shown on bus stops beginning in November.

His project is going to be a painting of the relationship of his different ancestries. Originally from Prince Rupert, Roberts has status on his dadBԪַs side through the Haida Nation. His mom was born in Hartley Bay, which is part of the GitgaBԪַat in the Tsimshian Nation, but his maternal grandmother is from the Squamish First Nation.

BԪַMy work is going to be a painting of the relationship between my identity and Haida and Tsimshian and Coast Salish, as well. Growing up primarily in Prince Rupert in Tsimshian territory and also having my status in Haida Gwaii connects me more to Haida and Tsimshian , but being here since 1999 IBԪַve started to learn and do Coast Salish art.BԪַ

Four works from other artists are already being showcased throughout the city as part of BԪַPlatforms: Nine Places for SeeingBԪַ: Lauren Crazybull, of Blackfoot Dene, has a painted collage depicting the absence and presence of Indigenous faces at Marine Drive Canada Line Station; Coast Salish artist Atheana PichaBԪַs work is on the Playhouse Theatre with illustrations showing spring awakening; Aaron Nelson Moody, of Squamish Nation, used western typography and Coast Salish imagery to tell a story; and Tsleil-WaututhBԪַs Olivia George created an illustration of bees and beehives with Salish design elements on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Vancouver Indigenous Arts and Culture Planner Dionne Paul speaks during the launch of the 2023 “Platforms: Nine Places for Seeing” public art project, which for the first time since it began in 2010 is showcasing all Indigenous artists. June is National Indigenous History Month. (Lauren Collins)
Vancouver Indigenous Arts and Culture Planner Dionne Paul speaks during the launch of the 2023 BԪַPlatforms: Nine Places for SeeingBԪַ public art project, which for the first time since it began in 2010 is showcasing all Indigenous artists. June is National Indigenous History Month. (Lauren Collins)

Vancouver Indigenous Arts and Culture Planner Dionne Paul said the city hired three cultural advisors to help select artists as a BԪַa way of lowering barriers for Indigenous artists and the application process and it was also about building community and relationship with the artists of these lands.BԪַ

BԪַPlatformsBԪַ was first launched in 2010, which uses citywide infrastructure as temporary canvases for two-dimensional art installations. The artwork will be installed on a BԪַrolling basis,BԪַ says the city, between 2023 and 2025.



lauren.collins@blackpress.ca

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Displayed on the plaza outside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre is Squamish Nation artist Aaron Nelson MoodyBԪַs artwork that joins western typography and Coast Salish imagery. ItBԪַs part of the launch of the 2023 BԪַPlatforms: Nine Places for SeeingBԪַ public art project, which for the first time since it began in 2010 is showcasing all Indigenous artists. June is National Indigenous History Month. (Lauren Collins)


Lauren Collins

About the Author: Lauren Collins

I'm a provincial reporter for Black Press Media's provincial team, after my journalism career took me around B.C. since I was 19 years old.
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