Artwork Statement

Ebb & Flow pays homage to the enduring traditions of the Coast Salish people, who, long before roads and development, navigated a landscape defined by dense green forests teeming with abundant natural life. In this ancestral land, markers played a vital role as navigational tools. These markers took many forms - from trees deliberately shaped over time, to the placement of rocks, to carved and pigment-adorned cedar, each serving as a guide.

Ebb & Flow presents two contemporary sculptural installations that reinterpret traditional directional markers for the 21st century. Positioned as symbolic guides, these sculptures evoke the spirit of historic fishing camps - places of sustenance, gathering, and deep connection to the land and river. 

Crafted from a fusion of materials - traditional old-growth cedar, aluminum, and LED lights - these markers bridge past and present. Their forms are inspired by salmon and sturgeon, two culturally significant icons of the Fraser River and Coast Salish culture. Visible from both land and water, these sculptural way-finders honour the deep history, enduring presence, and cultural richness of the Coast Salish Peoples who have cared for these lands for countless generations.

About the Artists

Kelly Cannell and Brent Sparrow are siblings and members of Musqueam Indian Band, both celebrated artists in their own right who often collaborate with their mother, Susan A. Point.

Kelly Cannell creates vibrant, thought-provoking work that reflects a deep connection to her culture and the natural world. Admired for its powerful storytelling and innovation, her work features in public art installations across the Lower Mainland and beyond, merging tradition with contemporary practice and keeping Coast Salish culture vibrant and visible in urban spaces

Cannell's art reflects her commitment to environmental and cultural preservation, highlighting the importance of stewardship and community. She frequently collaborates with family members, emphasizing the value of intergenerational knowledge-sharing in her practice. Through her work, she continues to honour and evolve Coast Salish traditions, connecting the past and the future.

Brent Sparrow developed his practice and artistry through his training as a welder at BCIT and in apprenticeships with his mother and adopted Kwakwaka'wakw master carver, John Livingston. Through these collaborations, Brent has played a pivotal role in creating and installing public art for institutions including the Seattle Art Museum, the City of Vancouver, the City of Richmond, and Seattle Children's Hospital.

Brent's portfolio includes nearly two dozen large-scale public artworks spanning cedar, bronze, and glass. His practice is deeply rooted in his Coast Salish heritage, honoring ancestral legacies and contributing to cultural preservation.

Special Thanks to:

City of New Westminster - Parks and Recreation Department