Atklokem: Contemporary Syilx Art

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Lake Country Art Gallery, "Atklokem: Contemporary Syilx Artists," 2019

Atklokem: A collaboration of contemporary Syilx Art brought together by Okanagan Artist David Wilson: featuring the work of Barb Marchand, Mariel Belanger, Sheldon Louis, and the Okanagan Indian Band Youth Group for this Indigenous-focused exhibition that will encompass painting, mixed media, sculpture, and performance.

Opening Reception from 6-8 pm on Thursday, August 15th.

Atklokem is an Anglicized version of the Syilx word that describes the area of Winfield. The ward of Winfield sits in the heart of Lake Country, nestles between Wood Lake to the east and Okanagan Lake to the west.

David Wilson

Early in my career, I learned through teachings and mentorship of Coast Salish and Haida artists and later began an exploration of West Coast and Plains First Nations’ art forms, with further studies in business at Vancouver’s Langara College. My style of painting has developed through exploring Interior Salish pictograph art forms, combining vibrant colours and linear forms within a circular picture format. 

The creative process happens through discussion and collaborative dialogue with viewers: artistic style, techniques, interpretations and exchanging stories or expressive ideas. Exhibitions are the most ideal times to engage with others, to listen and explore artistic expression.

Mariel Belanger

Mariel Belanger is dedicated to contributing in the growth of interdisciplinary arts as a method to engage Indigenous community, language, culture, and act as a bridge to society telling stories of our time. Recently graduated with a Master of Fine Arts Interdisciplinary and Indigenous Studies, Mariel is a SSHRC, UBCO Aboriginal Fellowship and Indian Brotherhood scholarship recipient. She was recently awarded Outstanding Indigenous Graduate Student at the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry held in Champaigne-Urbana at the University of Illinois. Mariel was nominated to the Canadian Association of Theatre Research board as a graduate board member. As an artist scholar, her research is about identity through the lens of Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being, Customary Law, Indigenous Feminism and Performance Theory, exploring how cultural identity is rebuilt through oral history and performance practice.

Sheldon Louis

I, Sheldon Louis am a member of the Okanagan Indian Band which is part of the Syilx Nation. I am a multidisciplinary Syilx Artist. I sit on the Board of Directors for the Arts Council of the North Okanagan. I was a recipient of the First Peoples Cultural Council Emerging Artist Development Award for 2015. I mentored with Barb Marchand as a curator and visual artist.

Barb Marchand

As a respected artist and elder, Barb Marchand had long had an interest in the history of her ancestors, their traditional language and the legends which connected her to the landscape and its inhabitants. This has led her to immerse herself in the study of the traditional Syilx language in an effort to gain a better understanding of the stories and history of the Okanagan First Nations people and in doing so, also her own history. 

Okanagan Indian Band Youth Group

Sheldon Louis:

Youth can at times struggle to lasting connections due to lack of mentorship and role models. By creating a public art piece in the community the youth will be able to interact and form healthy and respectful interactions through the arts. This Mural Project at the Lake Country Art Gallery will allow the youth to engage with all levels of the community. The visual art piece(s) will be inspired and rooted in the history and traditional stories of the Syilx people. The design/image will be based upon the tradition of Syilx history in the Lake Country area

There will be public programming throughout the run of this exhibition including artist talks and the unveiling of the Youth Mural Project.