After lengthy deliberation, the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society has released the official names of the three Emily Carr-inspired murals unveiled in Chemainus in late summer.
They are as follows.
KEEPER OF SECRETS – INSPIRED BY EMILY CARR
MURAL EC3
Painted in 2016 by Cim MacDonald
The raven is an important symbol in First Nations cultures of the Northwest Coast. The bird stole the sun, moon, and stars for humans, bringing light to the world. It also had supernatural powers and used them to obtain important things for humans, such as fresh water, salmon, and fire. Known as the Keeper of Secrets, Raven possessed knowledge of hunting and the world, and shared these secrets with First Nations peoples. The mural contains a reproduction of Emily Carr’s Big Raven.
SACRED CEDAR – INSPIRED BY EMILY CARR
MURAL EC4
Painted in 2016 by Cim MacDonald
The canoes and totems featured in this mural were carved from cedar. Cedar had a special significance in the culture and traditions of the Northwest Coast First Nations. Yellow cedar, being more pliable, was used for clothing — such as cloaks, and swaddling cloths for infants — as well as storage baskets for food. Red cedar was used for baby cradles, First Nations homes, and dugout canoes for transportation and fishing, and the iconic totems. This mural contains a reproduction Emily Carr’s Blunden Harbour.
BY THE BAY – INSPIRED BY EMILY CARR
MURAL EC5
Painted in 2016 by Mario Labonte
The vistas from the shores of Vancouver Island have always captivated residents and visitors alike. The Arbutus trees featured in this mural are native to the Pacific Northwest. The tree is the only broadleaf evergreen tree in Canada. It was important to the Coast Salish First Nations, who used its leaves and bark to create medicines to treat stomach problems, wounds and colds. The berries were an important ingredient in many foods eaten by Northwest Coast First Nations peoples. Artfully hidden in plain view is a face of clouds and leaves; the artist’s expression of the interconnectedness of everything. This mural contains a reproduction of Emily Carr’s Chemainus Bay.