Urban Sculpture
In 2016 I was commissioned to paint a Urban Sculpture Salmon to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the City of Coquitlam, BC.
One side of the piece represents a female salmon, the other a masculine salmon. The “She side”, KWIKWITLEM represents the memories of the past, the ancestors, and the Eggs... nine rounded mirrors reflect “you” when you approach. The “He” side represents the action and future progress, and says Coquitl...I am, with square mirrors on top of the “I” reflecting “you” when approached, implying that “you” are part of their spawning.
What Is the story behind these Salmon?
Once upon a time, 125 years ago, more than 2000 eggs were layed by a couple of Salmon, at the Coquitlam River in British Columbia, here in River Springs...
He and She were two survivor eggs out of that spawning as it’s nature's average... They spent the best upbringing in this fabulous place, full of peace and love, until one day, when Nature dictated they must leave the River and they traveled the word through the seas... And they experienced Diversity!
They saw other places, they smelled other scents, they tasted different flavours and they fell in love with the many traditions they met around the world... So, when the "time to go home" calling presented, both, He and She, "red fish swimming up the river", COQUITLAM, returned to fulfill their most important task: Bringing with them an awesome population spawned out of 100 countries from around the world ...
For me, it was an honour to paint this piece and express with it that in Coquitlam everything started with a couple of Salmons in love! And more so because I am part of that spawning !
Coquitl...I am
