Nlaka'pamux artist Nadine Spence’s 13 Moons Around the Lake brings travelling message chests and other works to Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art

Project continues the multiyear Honouring Our Grandmothers Healing Journey, featuring art from multiple First Nations

*Generations of Women and Water* travelling message chest by Nadine Spence.

13 Moons Around the Lake is at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art to January 28. 2024

QUILTS, BENTWOOD CEDAR CANOE BOXES, ceremonial blankets, and travelling message chests are on view in a new free exhibit at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art that’s part of the multiyear Honouring Our Grandmothers Healing Journey.

Led by Nlaka’pamux artist Nadine Spence, the project pays tribute to grandmothers, family, the lands, waters, and the salmon cycle in southern British Columbia through artworks and regalia collected from Indigenous artists from a variety of nations.

The big draw at this rendition are the first seven travelling message chests designed by Spence, Ed Archie Noisecat, Ronnie Dean Harris, Mike Alexander, Autumn Walkem, Lydia Brown, JoeGilchrist, and the Se’mya’me artists.

Also on hand is am evolving art colletion by family artists Spence, Denni Spence, and Chelanne Adams, presenting new pieces along with the art of their late Father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Roger Spence. Elsewhere look for Gifts for Yeye, presents made by youth for mothers and grandmothers, and the Koa Emily Raine Wilson-Cooper quilt.

The title 13 Moons Around the Lake represents the year 2023, which has 13 moons in the calendar year and is connected to the journey of the salmon and human life cycle. The vision for the Healing Journey was launched at the 2021 Heart of the City Festival, and it continues to 2026.

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