Our first public art project in the Yukon is one to celebrate ✨
As part of the CreateSpace Public Art Residency, artist-in-residence Krystle Silverfox creates a series of anamorphic sculptures that tell an ancestral Yukon First Nations story of the Raven and the Sun.
We’re so proud of Krystle for this accomplishment and grateful to the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture for their generous partnership. It was a team effort with the additional support of local welders who ensured a successful installation!
Looking to build a residency program or have a site that an artist can use to showcase their art? Don’t be shy to send us a message or book a call: https://lnkd.in/ei93tt_q
Video by John Howland
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This was part of the 2023 CreateSpace Public Art Residency supported by Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada, Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada, and TD through the TD Ready Commitment.
My name is Crystal Silver Fox. I'm a citizen of Selkirk First Nation. And a member of the Wolf clan. The name of my project is Raven Shares the Light. Raven Shares the Light pays homage to the story of Raven stealing the light. Raven, who's a shape shifting trickster in a time of complete darkness, knows that there are the sun, the stars and the moon being held securely in bentwood boxes in a great chiefs home. Knows about these objects and wants them. So Raven uses their shape shifting. Abilities to transform themselves into a spruce needle. As a spruce needle Raven is floating down the river and the chiefs daughter scoops him up in the water and drinks him. Chief's daughter soon becomes pregnant and gives birth to a boy. The chief is so excited. And as the boy grows. The boy wants to play with the sun, the stars and the moon, the chief allows. The boy who is actually Raven. To play with the moon and the stars. As soon as the boy touches the moon and the stars. He loses them. The moon and the stars are taken from the chief's possession and given to the world. The chief very upset about this. And has the sun still Raven, who wants the son cries and cries, But Ravens, a boy at this time cries and cries. The chief relents and says yes, you can play with the box that contains the sun, but you cannot touch it. Raven. Who's a Boy opens the box and grabs the sun and the chief says no, you cannot touch it. Gets really mad but it's too late. The boy transforms back into Raven who's a white bird. And has the sun in his beak. Raven, as a quick escape, flies out the smokestack and becomes a Blackbird and throws the sun into the sky for everyone to share. This artwork, it pays homage to that story. Steps and Awed Together provided financial support, but also support within the community of Dawson City. I learned that public art is a lot more complicated and requires a lot of professional help and skills, and really it's a community effort. So having more people who are more knowledgeable to you is such an important fact with public art.
Did the Canadian Race Relations Foundation require you not to speak out about the genocide in Palestine as a condition of receiving support/funding from them?
Alt text: A 2:37 minute video of the welding of an anamorphic sculptural installation by Indigenous artist Krystle Silverfox in Dawson City, Yukon. Krystle talks about the story behind the public art project and the video ends with supporter logos and recognition.
Writer, Researcher, Ph.D student
1moDid the Canadian Race Relations Foundation require you not to speak out about the genocide in Palestine as a condition of receiving support/funding from them?