ems syiyum
An exhibition curated by Jesse Recalma and Mathew Andreatta.
Featuring the artwork of Mathew Andreatta, Jesse Recalma, Grace Edwards, Carrie Reid and the work of some of their ancestors.
Thunderbird Transformer
Alec ‘Tonto’ Peters
Yellow Cedar
1960s
NFS
2
Alec 'Tonto' Peters is Mathew and Jesse's Great Uncle from the Musqueam Indian Band.
Sun Mask
Alec ‘Tonto’ Peters
Yellow Cedar
1960s
NFS
8
On loan in thanks to Corrina Sparrow
Untitled
Lux Recalma
1979
NFS
14
Lux only had use of the left side of his body, despite this he was a commercial fisherman, artist and even had a registered patent. Lux carved unique lamps, designed leatherwork, and painted on canvas and suede. At one time, Lux worked at a small studio by the entrance of the Qualicum First Nation campground; however it is no longer there.
On loan thanks to Bill Recalma.
Woven Blanket
Carrie Reid
Wool
2012
NFS
11
The blanket was created for a graduation ceremony.
Carrie Reid is Jessie Recalma’s mother.
Thunderbird and Whale
Alec ‘Tonto’ Peters
Yellow Cedar
1960s
NFS
1
Alec 'Tonto' Peters is Mathew and Jesse's Great Uncle from the Musqueam Indian Band.
Knitted Blanket
Martha Recalma
Date unknown
NFS
12
Martha Recalma is Jessie Recalma and Mathew Andreatta’s Great Gandmother.
Cedar Chest
Gordon Reid
Red cedar, acrylic
Mid 2000s
NFS
13
Gordon Reid is Jessie Recalma’s grandfather and one of his inspirations.
On the Beach
Carrie Reid
Hooked Rug
Date Unknown
NFS
15
Carrie Reid is Jessie Recalma’s mother.
The work includes rock and seaweed and within it, there are artifacts, including a weight and a nipple top maul in amongst the stones.
Fall
Jesse Recalma
36” spindle whorl
Red Cedar
2022
NFS
3
Leaves fall in the wind, fluttering like little birds. The circles in the leaves represent the salmon eggs, which are fed by the fallen leaves decomposing on the riverbanks. Whale fins circle the inside as the whales wait patiently for the salmon to make their way to the river mouths.
Spring
Jesse Recalma
36” spindle whorl
Red Cedar
2022
NFS
1
Shaped like a camas flower with 4 herring, a butterfly and a songbird designed into the petals.
Flood Story Paddle
Jesse Recalma
5’ long
Yellow Cedar
2022
$1750
8
Depicts the Pentlatch flood story that takes place in the Comox Valley. The whale is on the blade, a rope used to tie the canoes for the shaft and on the handle is a depiction of the Comox Glacier as represented in the story. The paddle itself represents the people in the canoes.
Raven Drum
Jesse Recalma
Hide, wood, acrylic, nylon
2022
$950 SOLD
9
The raven design depicts the unique white ravens found locally in the Qualicum area.
Drum by Ben Paul (Musqueam).
Crest
Jesse Recalma
30”x48”
Acrylic on Canvas
2022
NFS
5
Winter
Jesse Recalma
36” spindle whorl
Red Cedar
2022
NFS
4
The Notch Hill in Nanoose Bay sits below a winter phase loon moon while a wolf howls above.
Summer
Jesse Recalma
36” spindle whorl
Red Cedar
2022
NFS
2
An eagle with a salal leaf for a wing sits by a salal berry and a salmon swims in the ocean on its way to the Fraser in the summertime.
Thunderbirds
Jesse Recalma
24” x 36”
Red Cedar
2021
$5500
6
Two thunderbirds face each other symmetrically.
Thunderbird Drum
Jesse Recalma
Hide, wood, acrylic, nylon
2022
NFS
10
This thunderbird design was influenced by the old designs found on spindle whorls and other implements.
Drum by Ben Paul (Musqueam)
Eagle
Jesse Recalma
24” Round
Red Cedar
2021
$4500
7
An eagle soars high above in the round, keeping a watchful eye on those within its gaze.
A Serpent’s Dream
Mathew Andreatta
Acrylic on 21” elk hide hand drum
2018
NFS
7
On loan in thanks to Steven Recalma
Like Tears in Rain
Mathew Andreatta
Acrylic on 18” elk hide hand drum
2022
$1250
4
Moon Gifts a Blanket
Mathew Andreatta
acrylic on canvas
2021
NFS
6
On loan in thanks to Ecko Aleck
Copper Shield
Mathew Andreatta
Acrylic on denim
2020
NFS
11
These jackets are an exercise in expression of Indigenous identity for members of urban Indigenous communities and living situations. These forms of carrying our connections on our backs acts as an accessible expression of connection and assertion of Indigenous presence in a country where regalia and other forms of cultural ceremony, expression and practice were made illegal by the Government of Canada through the Indian Act.
Salish Sparrow’s Waning Moon
Mathew Andreatta
Acrylic on 18” elk hide hand drum
2022
$1250
5
Visions in the Dark
Mathew Andreatta
Acrylic on 16” deer hide hand drum
2019
NFS
3
A Common Destiny
Mathew Andreatta
Acrylic on maple skateboard deck
2022
$850 SOLD
10
The Salmon Warrior
Mathew Andreatta
Acrylic on 18” elk hide hand drum
2022
$1400
9
A Guardian Watchman whose countless eyes watch over the safety of our salmon to help ensure their return each year. The punishment for the mistreatment of this Warrior’s relatives is swift, and details not spoken of openly.
Beaver in the River Lilies
Mathew Andreatta
Acrylic on denim
2020
NFS
12
On loan in thanks to Karleen Delaurier-Lyle
These jackets are meant as an exercise in expression of Indigenous identity for members of urban Indigenous communities and living situations. These forms of carrying our connections on our backs acts as an accessible expression of connection and assertion of Indigenous presence in a country where regalia and other forms of cultural ceremony, expression and practice were made illegal by the Government of Canada.
LHUXWMAT
Grace Edwards
30” x 36”
Oil
NFS
5
This painting inspired the nine small paintings and the backstory is similar. It has the same agenda as the small paintings. It is a trader bead earring, silver necklace, and woven cedar background. Three pieces that I cherish.
Nine Canvases
Grace Edwards
9” x 12” each
Oil on canvas
NFS
1
Depicted in these paintings are objects, possessions I own, given to me by someone I love. They are made from cedar, silver, hide, fur, blue cobalt, and glass beads. All originating from the land and articulately made by craftsmen. These possessions I hold dear and use them to express my culture and my connection to family.
Each one has a story.
Snaw-naw-as
Grace Edwards
36” x 48”
Oil
NFS
3
A landscape painting of Nanoose Bay, my home. This is where I grew up, learned, and thrive. I can freehand the outline of this hill and mountains like a signature.
It is forever embedded in my mind.
It represents identity, ancestors, and culture.
Ten
Grace Edwards
30” x 24”
Acrylic
NFS
2
This painting shows the strength and power of a mother protecting and caring for her children. My brother and I depicted within the body, the outlines of our heads making a heart.
The wolf, my mother. Love and connection.
Masked Identity
Grace Edwards
16” x 20”
Acrylic
NFS
4
When I first began practicing form line art, I made this painting. It was the beginning of the revival of an inner self, something hidden or lost and when I finished this painting, I felt whole. I was finding myself as an Indigenous woman depicting myself in an Indigenous world.
Melancholy
Grace Edwards
8” x 10”
Acrylic
NFS
6
I was sixteen when I made this painting, but its great meaning and expression of how I felt during that year, surrounded by darkness and feeling lost. The following year, I would begin my journey forward and truly find myself.
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