Pender Women's Unity Poles Description Three carved poles erected at the front of the Pender community hall. The Jacqueline Rose log (right) depicts a bear; The Winifred Alice log (center) depicts a mother bear holding her cub. The Elizabeth Grimmer log (left) is the grandmother bear.
Artist statement
Through this project we hoped to honour our women ancestors, creating a lasting legacy which would pay tribute to the women who come before us, giving us life, inspiration, encouragement and talents. The artist group was a glorious mixture of women and girls from all spiritual, educational, political and social backgrounds. We operated on two principles: Everyone is welcome and there is no such thing as a mistake.
About the artist Victor Reece with the Women of Pender Island
Born in Hartley Bay, Canada in 1946, Victor Reece was a carver and visual artist and member of the Wolf clan of the Tsimshian Nation. His hereditary name is Whe’X Hue (“Big Sky”). In addition to being an artist, he was a story teller, telling the unwritten history of his experiences, his family, and his people. He utilized his art as a means to create both a cultural and carving experience.
His art has been displayed in various exhibitions as well as sold to public and private collections. He assisted in the design and construction of a traditional Tsimshian longhouse for the Canadian Museum of Civilization. His work is also found in The Royal Ontario Museum and the Smithsonian.
Reece moved to Pender Island in the fall of 1997. During that time he volunteered to teach residents how to carve cedar poles. Reece passed away in 2010.
Learn more about Victor Reece on muralart.com or douglasreynoldsgallery.com
Details Artwork type
First Nations
Dimensions
Each pole is approximately ten feet tall.
Copyright
Pender Island Community Hall
Site
Pender Island Community Hall
Artwork category
Community Public Art
Date unveiled
April 20, 2000
