Images of Haida Gwaii are at the Plaskett Gallery this month in a new exhibition by Bob Gunning.
Gunning’s Portraits of Ninstints is on until Saturday, Sept. 29. An opening reception is set for Friday, Sept. 7 from 4 to 7 p.m.
The exhibition explores the mortuary poles at Ninstints, S’Gang Gwaay Llanagaay, a World Heritage site that’s part of Gwaii Haanas National Park.
The poles, which were the burial places of the chiefs of the village, are a fast-disappearing example of early Indigenous art.
“The spiritual belief of the Haida people holds that the chief’s spirit enters the pole when he is interred in its top. His spirit will not be released until the pole rots away and returns to the earth,” Gunning explains in an artist’s statement. “Many of these poles are over 200 years old and have taken that path of creation and deterioration.”
Gunning noted that only about a dozen still remain with enough detail to show the craftsmanship that went into their carving, and many exist now only in drawings and photos.
“In creating these paintings, I hope to preserve the beauty and the power of these poles so that their memory will live on,” he said.
Some of his paintings were done using museum photos of lost poles; others show the poles as they were in the last century, before they lost much of their detail.
“All of these paintings pay tribute to the 7,000 years of the presence of the Indigenous residents who cared for the land, the water and the spirits of their ancestors,” Gunning said.
Anyone interested in learning more can book an appointment to hear from Gunning about the stories behind the art.
Plaskett Gallery is at Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave. It’s open 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, during performances at the theatre or by appointment. Call 604-517-5900 or see www.masseytheatre.com for details.
