VANCOUVER.- The Vancouver Art Gallery has launched a new exhibition, Rooted Here: Woven from the Land, a celebration of the profound work of four local Salish weavers. The exhibition—featuring the weavings of qʷənat, Angela George; Chepximiya Siyam’ Chief Janice George; Skwetsimeltxw Willard “Buddy” Joseph; and Qwasen, Debra Sparrow—offers an exploration of their artistic journeys and the cultural significance of Salish weaving historically and in the present.

Rooted Here: Woven from the Land provides a rich selection of works by these prominent artists that demonstrate both their connections to tradition and their capacity for innovation. For the artists this means understanding the integration of weaving into the social life of Salish communities and that the recovery and forward movement of each is dependent on the other. It also involves a recognition of Salish weaving’s deep connection to the land and the rich resources the land has provided from generation to generation. While the exhibition addresses the impact of colonialism on Salish weaving, it also highlights the resilience of these traditions and celebrates the vital roles played by the featured artists in its contemporary revival and renewal.

“We are thrilled to be highlighting the extraordinary work of these four artists,” said Anthony Kiendl, CEO & Executive Director at the Vancouver Art Gallery. “The exhibition honours the artists’ pivotal role in shaping the artistic landscape of the region while bringing light to the indelible mark they will have on the city for years to come with their contributions to the design of the new Vancouver Art Gallery.”

The exhibition also offers audiences a rare glimpse into the significant roles these artists have played as collaborators in the design of the Vancouver Art Gallery’s new building. Their creative input extends to the woven facade of the new Gallery’s design, contributing to a rich and meaningful narrative that connects the architecture with the cultural heritage of the land.

“It’s only when you understand how integral weaving is to local Salish culture, how crucial it is for marking important moments in life and through ceremony, that you fully appreciate the significance of the contribution these artists have made in helping to revive it,” says Richard Hill, Smith Jarislowsky Senior Curator of Canadian Art. “From that perspective you can also see how profoundly generous they are in sharing their considerable skill and knowledge with the Vancouver Art Gallery through this exhibition and in their collaboration on our new building.”

Rooted Here: Woven from the Land opened on December 16, 2023, and will be on view until May 12, 2024.

Organized by the Vancouver Art Gallery and curated by Richard Hill, Smith Jarislowsky Senior Curator of Canadian Art.