The fourth art installation by First Nation artist Smoker Marchand was unveiled in West Kelowna Tuesday.
Image Credit: Contributed
November 05, 2014 - 2:29 PM
WEST KELOWNA – A new sculpture by renowned First Nation artist Smoker Marchand was unveiled in West Kelowna Tuesday.
Marchand says the steel monument, which depicts three warriors in full battle dress, represents veterans of all backgrounds who have served in the military.
“I wanted to show a strong Indian man. I wanted to show a strong Indian woman. And I wanted to show a soldier who could be any soldier,” he says.
Marchand says his inspiration for the life size steel sculpture came from a member of his own family who served in the military.
“My uncle said that when they got into the trenches, they were a band of brothers. There was no color. There was no difference in who they were,” he says. “They fought together, and that’s very important.”
The monument is located on the top parking lot of the WFN Health and Wellness Centre and is the fourth sculpture in West Kelowna by the Colville Confederate Tribe artist.
Marchand also made “horse and rider” outside Snyatan Shopping Centre three years ago, “elk” on Butt Rd. and Hwy 9 and “Ogopogo”, a 3D steel sculpture that is embedded into a retaining wall of Okanagan Lake Landing Shopping Centre.
With several stunning sculptures around West Kelowna, the Westbank First Nation is taking the lead in cultural art.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014