Carvers hard at work on centre sculptures
June 7, 2024
Artists make progress on Su-gigyet art installation
When you walk into master carver Stan Bevan’s carving studio, the sweet smell of cedar fills the air, as three apprentices work in tandem on the centre sculptures of Su-gigyet – the new art installation that will be located at the roundabout at the intersection of Hwy. 16 & 37, in Thornhill just outside of Terrace, BC. Also located in on the traditional territory of the Kitselas people, the future location of the installation is also just a stone’s throw from Little Canyon, a traditional, and modern-day, fishing location for the Kitselas on the Skeena River.
It's a meaningful location for a world-class art installation that will make a big impact on drivers and visitors arriving to the Terrace area – and Kitselas traditional lands.
Over the past few months, Bevan, a Tlingit, Tahltan and Ts’msyen master carver, and his team, have been working drawing out three human forms from six-foot lengths of red cedar. The human figures will later be encased by large salmon-shaped metal shrouds, sculpted by Terrace-based artist Mike Sorochan. The centre sculptures will be surrounded by six large carved salmon being made by local wood artist, Roderick Brown.
The name Su-gigyet, is a Sm’algyax name meaning ‘new people’, more specifically ‘the original people have adopted a new way of doing things.’ The name was gifted to the project years ago by the late Kitselas elder, Mel Bevan – who was also Stan Bevan’s father.
Stan says the sculptures on track to being completed this summer, then it’s up to Sorochan, to start ‘bending metal’ to create the custom-made salmon inspired shrouding that will encase the cedar art pieces.
As the sculptures take shape, they promise to not only enrichen the area’s reputation for being a place that celebrates art and culture, but that also holds space to tell stories that reflect the rich history and spirit of the area. Bevan takes on the role of roughing in the scultpure’s key shapes and design, and his team helps refine, smooth out and paint the sculptures.
Brian McKee has worked on about 16 different significant carving projects with Stan – his expertise is in finishing the rough cut cedar, one precise stroke of a carving knife at a time, he turns the rough curve of the human figure’s shoulder into a smooth surface that makes the intricate grain of the cedar come alive.
For Kobe Antoine, a graduate of the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, working on major public art installations like this one is a way to put his mark on making the community a place that is more rich in culture. And he appreciates the knowledge that is passed down from Bevan in the process.
As Savannah Medeiros, puts the first layer of red paint on the face of the human figure on the first to be completed sculpture, she takes her times, careful to apply the paint only where it is needed. The detailed work breathes life into the work. Bevan is proud of how well the team works together, feeding off of each other’s skill set and working with efficiency and attention to detail. Work continues on the artwork throughout the summer.
Su-gigyet centre sculpture work begins
April 4, 2024
Master carver, Stan Bevan, and his team of artists has begun work on the centre sculpture of the Su-gigyet art installation that will be located at the roundabout at the intersection of Hwys 16 & 37.
Bevan is working with artists Kobe Antoine and Brian McKee on the centre sculpture which will feature the carved human figures enshrouded in metal in the style of salmon. The team will be working on the sculptures throughout the summer.
Skeena Salmon Arts Festival receives $677,049 provincial grant for Su-gigyet art installation
November 8, 2023
Terrace, BC
Source: Skeena Salmon Arts Festival Society
More infrastructure support creates resilient tourism sector, communities
October 27, 2023
BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
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FUNDING SUPPORT
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
