Nigel Fox Artworks

At long last, the silkscreen butterfly prints are “off the press.”  These prints are based upon an original that sold within two days of completion in Febrauary.  I thought that I had a good thing at the time and a teacher recommended that I make prints out of these.  That was about six months ago now and the prints will soon be ready to sell.  If you are not familiar with the process, silkscreen printing is a method of printing where each separate color is placed individually onto each print, for all the prints in the edition.  And unlike giclee (computer) prints, the end result looks very much like an original and the quality is quite evident.  I had a printer out of Comox complete my prints.  Andy MacDougall has done prints for artists such as Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Davidson, too, I believe, and has been in the business for decades.

The story behind this particular print is as follows:

“Years ago, I was told by some friends that in Tsimshian culture, the butterfly crest has a special meaning and is usually reserved for those who are not Tsimshian by blood—outsiders. The interlocking nature of the butterfly motifs on this painting suggests teamwork and co-operation—each one respecting each other’s borders and not going outside or falling short of their appointment. The repeating geometry within the design also suggests that it can be extended infinitely. Thus, it is universal that for harmony to be maintained between differing peoples, respect is mandatory.”

Please contact me at nigel@nigelfoxartworks.com to place an order.

Dogwood Flower Bowl

Well, I am currently carving a cedar frog bowl for my solo exhibit coming up next month at the MNBC in Prince Rupert, BC–the town where I grew up.  My art school teachers told us that we would miss their direction when we are out of school and though I seem to be able to carve, there are still some details that I could use some help with.  The teachers at FDS provided much inspiration and cultivated an environment where innovation and tradition thrived alongside each other.  It was quite inspiring.

I wrote up a small note on the piece on the back of the painting. The piece is about teamwork and is part of a series that I am exploring on the theme of respect, especially among peers, even among “outsiders” or butterflies. Within many northwest coast native cultures, there are crests that are usually animals, that represent families or bloodlines. The butterfly crest is reserved for people who are not part of a nation by blood.

I think that the best way to describe it is how respect is required for harmony, and teamwork if need be. Each butterfly in the design is defined by a set of similar butterflies, with different colors. Each member of a functional team may have a different personality (color) but where they meet they are similar.

It’s all in the interfacing, ie boundaries, or communication if you will.

This is my second mask. I completed it recently. It has a design on the face that represents the reflection of light on water when viewing it from below. I call this mask “Surface Tension”, which is a play on words because of the water and the ovoids. Ovoids are supposed to be drawn as if the lines in the ovoid are under tension–sort of how a stick looks when it bends–hence the play on words. Ovoids are also a basic form within northwest coast art, similar to how water is a basic factor for physical life.

I will be displaying this mask, along side other works, at the year end exhibit this weekend.

There is less than a week until the year end exhibit for we, the students at Freda Diesing School. Most of the submitted pieces will be carvings and although this is a new medium for me, I have to say that I have surprised myself with how well I did. I’m happy with the work and I think that is all that matters.

It’s been quite the year and i think that I will do a bit of a review when I have the time, but for now it’s back to the grindstone. I still have some pieces to finish for the exhibit… Here’s a photo of a red cedar mask that I am working on for the show:

"Mammon, Midas and Myself", Medium: Alder, Acrylic paint, yellow cedar bark rope

“Mammon, Midas and Myself” – The title for this mask was taken from a Switchfoot song “Faust, Midas and Myself” and it is meant as a personal warning against seeking after wealth.  Midas, was a the mythical king who could turn things to gold just by touching it, but he starved to death because his food turned to gold before he could digest it.

The copper and blue color signifies wealth in northwest coast art.  Copper in the eyes signifies intent.  The open mouth signifies an insatiable appetite. The concave cheeks signify starvation.

Check out my facebook page through the blue “F” tab on the right for more photos.

Rangi Kipa, Maori Artist

Rangi Kipa, a leading Maori artist from New Zealand, came to the class today in order to introduce himself and meet the students. This is part of what has become somewhat of a “teacher’s exchange”. Dempsey Bob and two Freda Diesing graduates went to New Zealand in October in order to learn more about the Maori culture and its carvers first hand. They met with Rangi while they were down there. While Rangi is here, he will be doing a bone carving workshop for Freda Diesing students; former FDS students are also welcome to attend tomorrow (bring your own bone to carve).

Naomi Yamamoto, BC's Minister of Advanced Education

While Rangi was meeting with the students today, we had a surprise visit from BC’s minister of advanced education, Naomi Yamamoto. Naomi seemed quite interested in what we are doing at the school, learning about the various facets of the school. I got to talk with her and even show her a cedar mask that I am carving. She seemed very interested to know about how and why we dry the wood while we are carving it.

On a similar note, I was a bit surprised to hear that Rangi has a degree in social anthropology and a masters degree as well. I am finding that a lot of the more academic art schools encourage written and spoken communication. I think that this is because words are important, especially in the context of art. Words often provide a context for a piece of art, sort of like the light in a room, and that is part of the reason why I have learned to love to write.