The first event of the North Island College Artist Talk lecture series will feature an Indigenous artist who reclaimed residential school items for a powerful piece of art.
Carey Newman's traditional name is Hayalthkin鈥檊eme. On his father's side, he is Kwakwa瘫ka瘫鈥檞akw from the Kukwak瘫虛a瘫m, Gix瘫sa瘫m and Wawa艂aba鈥檡i clans of northern Vancouver Island, and Coast Salish from Xwch铆y貌:m (Cheam) of the St贸:l艒 S鈥檕lh Temexw (traditional territories) along the upper Fraser Valley. His mother鈥檚 ancestors are English, Irish and Scottish settlers. Newman is a mutli-disciplinary Indigenous artist, carver, filmmaker, author, mentor and public speaker.
His work highlights Indigenous, social and environmental issues while examining the impacts of colonialism and capitalism by unearthing memory and triggering emotions. His most influential work may be the Witness Blanket, which consists of items from residential schools, government buildings and churches across Canada that deal with of truth and reconciliation.
鈥淭here is a power within art and artistic practice to change consciousness, to make people feel things in a different way,鈥� he said in a statement on his .
The work is now in the collection of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg.
As well, Newman was selected as the master carver of the Cowichan 2008 Spirit Pole, a journey that saw him travel the province to share the experience of carving a 20-foot totem with over 11,000 people.
He also produced Dancing Wind, a panel installation at the Athletes Village in Whistler for the 2010 Olympics. He has made three documentaries and produced work on private commission, including design work, jewellery, wood carvings and stone sculptures.
鈥淲e are pleased to be welcoming such as esteemed and versatile artist at the forefront of driving positive social change,鈥� said Sara Vipond, NIC Fine Art faculty member.
His Nov. 22 talk takes place at the Stan Hagen Theatre on the Comox Valley campus. It runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. The event is free, and everyone is welcome.
There is more information about the NIC fine arts program, including the Artist Talk lecture series, available at the .
