Sooke鈥檚 rich Indigenous heritage will be on full display, thanks to an installation of public art at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex by the Sooke Fine Arts Society Legacy Project.
The sculpture, inspired by a Coast Salish legend: The Transformer and the Blind Old Man, was created by artist Chris Paul.
Unveiled this month, it is the first in a series of public art pieces inspired by Coast Salish myths, legends and cultural history commissioned by the Sooke Fine Arts Society.
鈥淭he sculpture is a story born in Sooke,鈥� said Christa Roosner, executive director of the society. 鈥淚t is a story reflected in art to help people understand and help mend.鈥�
The society considered proposals from Coast Salish artists with ties to the Esquimalt, Songhees, Scia鈥檔ew, T鈥橲ouke and Pacheedaht First Nations.
The installation will include audio-visual components to enhance visitor appreciation and understanding. The goal is to use art to create bridges of understanding between cultures through stories of place that connect us all.
鈥淚n the short time since the installation, it has already helped open doors to the future, with inquiries by organizations and artists looking at future opportunities for collaboration,鈥� said Roosner, a longtime volunteer who recently was appointed to her new position.
Made possible through a grant from the Victoria Foundation, the project speaks to the region鈥檚 growing dynamic arts and culture sector as well as a statement of community beautification and pride.
The installation of the first work falls on the 30th anniversary of the Sooke Fine Arts Society and coincides with sa国际传媒鈥檚 150th anniversary.
The theme of the art piece takes its inspiration from a Coast Salish Transformer myth. The myth tells of how the Transformer breaks off pieces of his blanket to create fish that will be food for the blind old man 鈥� small pieces for the inshore herring and smelts, larger pieces for the bigger fish of the deep water and the largest pieces for the deepest-dwelling halibut and cod.
鈥淎s a seafaring region, there are many people in Sooke who can see a link to this piece,鈥� said Roosner.
鈥淚t is about a story 鈥� and the art helps tell that story.鈥�
For more information, go to sookefinearts.com.
