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Draft:Phyllis Atkins

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  • Comment: This draft reads like a resume of Atkin's work. -Samoht27 (talk) 18:47, 22 May 2024 (UTC)

Phyllis Atkins

Phyllis Atkins is an artist from the Kwantlen First Nation. Her traditional name q̓ʷɑt̓ic̓ɑ means "I wear the clouds like a blanket."[1] She studied under both Barbara Bolt and the master carver Derek Wilson from the Haisla Nation, learning painting and jewelry engraving, respectively.[1] As an artist, she is influenced by her community, her family, and her ancestors.[1] Atkins often collaborates with her husband Nəq̓ɑɬc̓i Drew Atkins and together they own and operate k’wy’i’y’e Spring Salmon Studio & Gallery located in Fort Langley on q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen) territory.[1]

Artistic Career

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Select Public Art Works

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Returning to the River, 2016

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Located in Surrey along the Fraser River, Returning to the River marks the historic seasonal fishing village qəyqə́yt.[2] The sculpture is made of red steel and concrete made to look like a woven cedar basket.[2]

We Are All Connected to This Land, 2019

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Referencing the relationship between the Semiahmoo, q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), and Kwantlen Nations, We Are All Connected to This Land includes images of a sun, moon, eagle, wolf, and salmon rendered in Coast Salish design.[3] The artwork is on King George Highway on a bridge by Bear Creek Park.[3][4]

A Bear's Feast sƛ̓ənəqs kʷə speʔəθ, 2020

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Located at Telosky Stadium in Maple Ridge, A Bear's Feast speaks to the importance of animals and their relationship to the environment and Indigenous communities, as well as the importance of harvesting and having access to traditional foods.[1]

The Rivers that Connect Us, 2021

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Installed at the Museum of Surrey, The Rivers that Connect Us was designed and fabricated by Phyllis and Drew Atkins and Aaron Jordan.[5] Located in Cloverdale and easily viewable from Highway 10, the public artwork acknowledges Indigenous people's connection to the land and welcomes new Canadians arriving in Surrey.[5] The artwork is composed of steel and polycarbonate materials and is programmable with LED lighting.[5] At the request of the artists in June 2021, The Rivers that Connect Us was lit in orange to recognize and raise awareness about the impact of residential schools in Canada.[6]

Select Exhibitions

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In 2021, Atkins had her first solo show at Surrey Art Gallery titled "q̓ʷɑti̓cɑ: k̓ʷam̓k̓ʷəm̓ tə šxʷhəliʔ / Phyllis Atkins: Divine Connection."[7] ƛ̓a tə qələms tə c̓ic̓əɬ səy̓em̓ / The Creator’s Eye, the central multimedia sculpture within the exhibition, references the spindle whorl used for weaving.[7]

Other

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With her sister Fern Gabriel, Atkins illustrated the children's book "Let's Count the Moon" for Langley School District 35. The book teaches children how to count in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "A Bear's Feast at Telosky Stadium | Maple Ridge, BC". www.mapleridge.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  2. ^ a b "Returning to the River | City of Surrey". www.surrey.ca. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  3. ^ a b "We Are All Connected to This Land | City of Surrey". www.surrey.ca. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  4. ^ News (2019-06-13). "PHOTOS: Blessing ceremony for new art on new bridge in Newton - Today In BC". www.todayinbc.com. Retrieved 2023-04-30. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ a b c "New Public Artwork a Symbol of Welcome at Museum of Surrey". NationTalk. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  6. ^ "The Rivers that Connect Us | City of Surrey". www.surrey.ca. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  7. ^ a b "q̓ʷɑti̓cɑ: k̓ʷam̓k̓ʷəm̓ tə šxʷhəliʔ / Phyllis Atkins: Divine Connection | City of Surrey". www.surrey.ca. 2021-08-20. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  8. ^ Gabriel, Fern (2017). Let's Count the Moon. stɑl̓əw̓ Arts & Cultural Society.