Visual Arts
Open for interpretation, pictographs are the earliest forms of literature (according to some) and/ or visual arts (for others) for the Okanagan people. Storytellers (and those returning from vision quests) painted pictures (now called pictographs) or images onto rock walls telling a story. Like all of the other art forms, Okanagan people didn't create art just to create it, everything had a purpose, it was important to the people and a part of who they are.
 Pictograph on Rock |
Okanagan people painted designs on items such as baskets, drums, shields, clothing and rock walls (to name a few). Designs that were or became family emblems, individual emblems or were derived from dreams and visions. NOTE: Many of the remaining visual arts from the Okanagan past are no longer in the hands of Okanagan's-but belong to non-aboriginal individuals, groups, organizations, museums and/or libraries. Carvings of animal an people carved deer bones, antlers, wood, rocks, and other items into toys for the children, tools for the men and jewelry for the women, shapes and objects for entertainment, livelihood and status. Baskets were made out of pine needles and birch bark and were used for gathering roots, berries and other food sources. All forms of clothing would be decorated with paints, porcupine quills, deer hooves and shells. In the 1930s Anthony Walsh became a teacher at the Inkameep Day School on the Osoyoos Indian Band lands. It is through Anthony Walsh that the young Aboriginal children were able to continue learning and further developing Okanagan art practices and non-Aboriginal education. |
Carvings of animal an people carved deer bones, antlers, wood, rocks, and other items into toys for the children, tools for the men and jewelry for the women, shapes and objects for entertainment, livelihood and status. Baskets were made out of pine needles and birch bark and were used for gathering roots, berries and other food sources. All forms of clothing would be decorated with paints, porcupine quills, deer hooves and shells.
|
In the 1930s Anthony Walsh became a teacher at the Inkameep Day School on the Osoyoos Indian Band lands. It is through Anthony Walsh that the young Aboriginal children were able to continue learning and further developing Okanagan art practices and non-Aboriginal education. In Winter 1936 Anthony Walsh asked the children if they would be interested in making Christmas cards and got a positive response. After much debate the idea came that they would paint their picture on a piece of buckskin. After the picture was completed it became known as the "Inkameep Nativity" and was an Okanagan version of what the nativity scene would look like. This painting was sent to a competition to the Royal Drawing Society's Exhibit for Commonwealth children in London, England and won a silver medal, it was brought to Buckingham Palace on display for the Queen, toured London, Paris, Dublin and Scotland. |
|
In 1938 When Mr. Walsh began drama programs at the school he saw the need for masks and other art forms (masks, props, backdrops, sets) which had to be created. Thus introducing a new area of art to the Okanagan children. The children began making masks out of paper mache and costumes out of cheesecloth dyed to look like buckskin.
Sculptors and carvers making 1" carvings to 30’ sculptures using wood, iron, metal and anything both imaginable and unimaginable. The most commonly recognized of Okanagan sculptures being the Nk’mip Indian made out of iron displayed in front of the Nk’mip Desert and Heritage Center and Larry Munro’s "Healing Broken Spirits" and the "Drum Keeper". Both sculptures have appeared in numerous newspapers, advertisements, magazines and web sites. For more examples of visual arts programs visit the En'owkin Center web site and for artist searches visit our links web page under artist links. Or click to visit and read more about Anthony Walsh or the Inkameep Day School. |
Today there are many talented visual artists who make their living or part of their living off of their art work. Artisans, Painters, Sculptors, Carvers, Clothing Designers and Garment Makers to name a few. Artisans making crafts (jewelry, clothing, carvings, paintings, prints...) for local craft fairs, powwows and gatherings. Craft fairs such as the annual Christmas bizarre which features Aboriginal arts and crafts held at the En'owkin Center in Penticton, BC, Canada. (Crafts made out of beads, buckskin, feathers, iron, plastic, material, wood., rocks, roots, etc...)
Red Soul Clothing Company Today painters are making murals, portraits, wall decor and prints which are exhibited in art galleries, museums, trade shows and privately in someone's home or office. Okanagan artists also contract themselves out painting murals, portraits, pictures, hand drums, group drums, logos and signs from someone else's mind, imagination or vision. The Okanagan's most well known visual artist is Barb Marchand who's work has been exhibited, on display and for sale in art galleries, museums, and privately in people's home or offices in addition to winning numerous awards and recognitions. |
