Saturday, June 27, 2009 The exhibition 'Challenging Traditions: Contemporary First Nations Art of the Northwest Coast' opened today at the McMichael Gallery in Kleinberg, Ontario until September 20, 2009.

By challenging the traditions of their artform, the participating artists have created unexpected pieces; such as a silver bracelet with the image of a Starbucks coffee cup in the mouth of a Raven, or a Celtic cedar wood cross with a Raven affixed to it.

Published in his newly released book 'Challenging Traditions', Ian Thom underwent two years of extensive research on over 40 artists to bring it to fruition.  As a former curator at the McMichael Gallery, and current curator at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Ian was able to tap into the First Nations' arts community to explore the various working methods and philosophies of such artists as; Christian White, Corey Moraes, Susan Point, Isabel Rorick, Joe David, Beau Dick, Philip Gray, Steve Smith, Jay Simeon, Chester Patrick, Chuck Heit, Richard Hunt, Philip Janze, Alano Edzerza, Joe Wilson, Lyle Wilson, Tim Paul and many more.

Four spectacular works were loaned to this exhibition from Coastal Peoples own collection: Raven's Children by Christian White (pg. 159); Frog Dorsal Fin sculpture and The Sky is my Castle original painting by Chester Patrick (pg. 110/111); plus a Dzunuk'wa Transformation mask by Beau Dick (pg. 34).

You may discover more about these artists and view many of their works online through the Coastal Peoples Gallery web site (book is available for online purchase), or visit the McMichael Gallery exhibition in person or online at www.mcmichael.com.