oy ol . ae ‘Local artist contributes - ‘to Canadian tradition parks branch to become a full-time Special to the Herald . carver about a 4 Bo ; dozen years ago. | wa ae 1. HAZELTON — Two Gitksan artists here are helping Wendy Sailman, splkesman for public ‘works in -to-create ‘the first contribution of Canada’s native Ei : Ottawa, said the program got official sanction after it - people to the stonework of the Parliament Buildings in was mentioned in the House of Commons. - Ottawa: ; mo, “Wally Firth (former NDP-MP from the North West . “Walter Harris, 48, and Earl Muldoe; 45, both master . Territories) suggested through the speaker that Inuit -earvers and instructors at the Gitanmaax Sclool of _ carvers be used. Through discussion that group was ‘North Coast ‘Indian Art at ’Ksan, ‘are putting the — enlarged to -include Indians,” . she * said. ” finishing touches on their stone pieces, to be unveiled. _ Twenty-nine craftsmen were, chosen to submit | “in Ottawa this summer... ay. designs, Fifteen responded, of which nine were. The two carvers are mong nine Canadian Inuit and Gitksan carvers, six Inuit Indian artists commissioned by the federal’ govern- chosen. Aside from the two Hdlan :4 ; t from northern Quebec and the North West Territories, “ment to dostonework for the House of Commons under ‘ iay$140,000 program through the public works depart- and an Indian from Curve Lake, Ontario, are also part tamient. 2 ‘of the group, Sailman said. “It started about six years ago when ‘mentioned to . _ “We hope to put Harris's piece in this summer, and Muldoe’s also, if they're ready. This could be the -the government that Canadian Indians weren't really represented with all the carvings in Ottawa,” said Muldoe, a gold specialist who quit his job with the iy ma 1: Commons,” she said. - “T's really a challenge to House of Commons,” said Harris, who began his work in Indian design about 12 years ago. with the creation » of thek’Ksan Indian village in Hazelton: “But more than that I also get excited about ‘carving something _ that’s going to be around for a long time.” He chose for his panel a massive killer whale design in high relief, with a grouse figure in the animal’s tail - and a human figure in the blow-hole, and bas-relief ' linear design on the animal’s body. The design con- forms to traditional subject matter, but uses more contemporary sculpture styling to echo the massive piece of Indiana slate, he said. =. - Muldoe has chosen a more traditional symmetrical frout view for his five pieces — three panels depicting owl, wolf and frog crests, and two totem figures using human and frog designs. Stone carving is new.to both men, although it has been part of the.tradition of their people. They each ordered air compressors and grinding tools for the job, and are anxious to put these to work on other: pieces. : . . ‘This stone is reasonably soft and easy to form,” .. Muldoe said. “And when you work in a new medium, you return to the more familiar stuff as if it were new.” . ‘ : Both men credit their initial interest in north coast _ design to the 'Ksan Indian village replica in Hazelton, and to the school that has produced dozens of quality ‘artists over the past seven years. Aside from special contracts, their work is marketed through the ‘Ksan Association, with a percentage reverting to running the museum and carying school, Several full-time carvers are working through the school on corporate commissions, in- cluding an 18-foot cedar pole for the Japanese head office of the Chase Manhattan Bank by Ken Mowatt, a 35-year-old carver noted for his active illustration of Gitksan myths. mo Ron Burleigh, manager of 'Ksan and a noted wildlife painter; said the interaction between the traditional . - forms, as illustrated in Muldoé’s stone pieces, and the _ more contemporary work, as in Harris’s killer whale crest, is fueling changes in the 'Ksan style. “You can’t exhaust the: traditional: forms;, they’re, too complex. But contemporary design is'more open; - it uses more motion. I’ve heard people say, about contemporary design, ‘That doesn’t look anything like Indian art. I don't agree with that. They should be able to do anything they want in the art form. I’m really interested in what they come up with in the new two or three years. Co New media are interesting more and more artists, Burleigh said, noting stonework, recent woodcuts, and the possibility of bronze casting. Totem, panel and mask carving are all active now, as well as jewellery carving and print-making. beginning of a whole new aspect to the House of | do something for the 4 é FF Rode Re “Earl Muldoe handles the fine tools used for finishing the carvings. An air compressor hose _ fs In the foreground. Photo by Keith Watt ° PREVENT FOREST - FIRES! CANADA'S forest industry . provides the backbone for our country's economy today. PLEASE be careful with all firel — =, ONPENA MALL AUCTION Saturday, June 21 at 10 AM —* Save your AUCTION BUCKS and hid on your choice of the prizes valued — at over $3,000.00 a8 finish on his Photo by Kelth Watt ‘Walter Harris completes the final killer whale panel. ’ This closeup shot of Earl Muldoe’s wolf design. 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