Commission for Port au Choix National Historic Site

I am working on a project for the Port au Choix National Historic Site.

A few months ago I came across the Request for Proposals from Parks Canada. They were looking for three 2D linear images of traditional Aboriginal cultures that used the area to gather resources from the sea as far back as 5500 years ago. They alsowanted two arches for a circular stone site called the Dorset Doorway which would symbolically refer to whale bones used to support the roofs, made from animal skins, of their traditional circular houses. The proposal asked for an artist or artist team with experience in public sculpture and Aboriginal art. I have plenty of the first – and none of the second. So I contacted Michael Massie, whom I had met at his show at the Provincial Art gallery at The Rooms in St. John’s a few years ago.

Michael has Inuit ancestry, and is a fantastic sculptor – but on a small scale. He makes beautiful sculptural teapots , full of Aboriginal imagery, magical and playful, from silver, bone, stone, and wood.

So with my experience with large, metal, public sculpture, and Mike’s background in sculpture and Aboriginal imagery, we put together a winning proposal. Mike finished the drawings for the 2D pieces and I had them blown up on paper to 1 ¼ life-size, so they look life-size outdoors. With the tremendous help of my good friend, painter Greg Bennett, we are well into the bending and welding of the steel 2D figures.

I am also working with C&W Industrial, a metal fabricator, in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland.  on the final design for the arches which will be laser cut and welded at their facility. Michael’s design will be laser cut into the arches. I have worked on several previous projects with C&W, including a public sculpture called Celebration, and the NOIA (Newfoundland Ocean Industries Association) Outstanding Contribution Award.

The upgrades to the site, including landscape work by Ed Versteeg of  Ekistics and the metal sculptures should be finished this summer.