Two shows opened at Equinox Gallery last Saturday. Alan was particularly interested in seeing the latest work by  Tlingit/Tahltan artist Dempsey Bob. He reminded me that we’d seen a two-person show of Dempsey Bob and Joe Fafard at Douglas Udell Gallery some time ago, where we learnt that Bob had spent time at Fafard’s foundry in Pense, Saskatchewan. In this show there were some bronze pieces including masks and a table, perhaps dating from that time in Pense. The works carved from yellow cedar and then oiled were actually more striking.

My photos show one bronze piece and several of the cedar carvings. We also really liked a half transformation mask, made opened to reveal half of the inner mask. A small mirror indicates the other half. This piece was boldly painted and had pale horse-hair applied. Bob works in a faithfully traditional style but enjoys making the pieces from a different angle, or  surprising us with only half of a transformation mask. This idea is his recognizable signature. http://equinoxgallery.com/artists/bio/dempsey-bob

Dale from New Zealand, do you remember meeting Dempsey Bob at our house when we hosted a party for visiting artists from Taranaki and he came out from Vancouver on the bus to join us? Several local First Nations artists have worked with Maori artists, resulting in some fascinating collaborations. This show can be seen at Equinox until July 5th. My next blog will have some photos taken in the other show at Equinox, Marie Khouri: Let’s sit and Talk.