Community
art showcase
Luke Marston is guest speaker at Fire and
Ice opening gala Jan. 3
In Iceland on Christmas Day annually, a 250-kilometre foot race called Fire and Ice occurs, covering varied terrain such as boiling mud pools, black volcanic ash fields, river crossings, lava fields, and sand dunes, finishing spectacularly at the 42-degree hot springs.
Closer to home, Whistler holds an annual Fire and Ice Show that involves fireworks, fire spinners and big air jumps through blazing rings of fire while the snowflakes fall.
Alternatively, if you missed both Iceland and Whistler celebrations, the Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery has the Fire and Ice show opening in early January.
Fire and ice are usually at either ends of the spectrum and are contradictions of extremes. The show embraces this contradiction and challenges the artist to confront his or her own interpretation of the theme and bring it to the canvas or the clay, or whatever medium is being used.
Intake dates are Dec. 30 and 31, and the Opening Gala will take place Saturday, Jan. 3. The opening night guest speaker is local acclaimed Coast Salish artist Luke Marston.
Marston’s lineage is from Stz’uminus First Nation, and he grew up in a family of artists and has been carving since he was a child. His parents, Jane and David Marston, are experienced carvers who provided Luke with his introduction to the art and skill of carving.
When first carving, Luke sought guidance from Haida/Nisga’a artist, Wayne Young. Young taught him about detailed finishing and refined form and design.
Luke continued his education with Coast Salish Elder Simon Charlie, from whom he learned about his people’s history and traditional stories, and he worked for many years demonstrating carving at the Royal British Columbia Museum at Thunderbird Park in Victoria.
Luke strives to preserve his culture and share it with the public. His carving work is shown around the world.
In 2010, he was commissioned to complete a Healing Bentwood Box for the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This large cedar chest now travels throughout Canada as a symbol of healing for First Nation peoples across the country.
Luke is also the great-great-grandson of Portuguese Joe Silvey.
Please join us at 7 p.m. on Jan. 3 to hear Luke’s artistic journey, gain local insight and artistic inspiration.
