Susan Point

A n I n t r o d u c t i o n t o
C o n t e m p o r a r y N a t i v e A r t i s t s i n C a n a d a

S u s a n A. P o i n t

b. 1952, Alert Bay, British Columbia
First Nations Affiliation: Coast Salish

Susan Point has dedicated herself to retrieving knowledge of ancestral methods, forms, and symbolism of the Coast Salish and while her work is strongly rooted in that ancient soil, she refuses to be bound by the traditional/contemporary, or art/craft oppositions prevalent in Western art discourse. Her vision to expand public knowledge of the diversity of Native peoples operates not only in the context of historical traditions, but also in present times, as she affirms the status of Aboriginal peoples as actors in contemporary worlds. Cedar and steel, glass and stone - these are some of the materials Point uses to explore issues of gender, race, class, and culture in this postmodern era. Recognized as a master carver, she has received major commissions from sources as disparate as the Vancouver International Airport and the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology.

R E C E N T E X H I B I T I O N S

1998	Transformations. Stonington Gallery, Seattle, Washington
1996-97	Topographies: Aspects of Recent British Columbia Art. Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia
1996	Remember the Way. American Indian Contemporary Arts, San Francisco, California New Directions Northwest. Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, British Columbia Metamorphosis. Richmond Art Gallery, Richmond, British Columbia Emily Carr House, Victoria, British Columbia
1995	The 6th Native American Fine Arts Invitational. Phoenix, Arizona Women Across the Arts. Friesen Gallery, Seattle, Washington Expressions of Spirit: Contemporary American Indian Art. Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, Santa Fe, New Mexico
1994	First Nations Print Exhibition. Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia Life of the Copper: A Common Wealth of Tribal Nations. Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, British Columbia Ancestral Journey Gallery, Victoria, British Columbia Frogs: Leaps of Imagination Stonington Gallery, Seattle, Washington
1992	Here Today. Open Space Gallery, Victoria, British Columbia First Northwest Native Women's Art Exhibit. Granville Native Art, Vancouver, British Columbia
1990	Salish Point. Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull, Québec Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, Ontario
1989	In the Shadow of the Sun (travelling) Fear of Others: International Art Exhibit Against Racism. (travelling)

S E L E C T E D C O L L E C T I O N S

King County Arts Commission, Seattle, Washington
Provincial Legislature Building, Victoria, British Columbia
University of BC First Nations House, Vancouver, British Columbia
University of BC Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver International Airport, British Columbia
Volkerkundemuseum der Universitat Zurick, Switzerland
Washington State Arts Commission, Olympia, Washington

S E L E C T E D B I B L I O G R A P H Y

Danford, Joanne. From Periphery to Centre: The Art of Susan and Krista Point. Thunder Bay, Ontario: Thunder Bay Art Gallery, 1989.

Hager, Barbara. "Northwest coast carving: An evolving tradition." Indian Artist (Fall 1996): 62-75.

"Salish Indian forms make artists work unique." The (Montréal) Gazette, 24 October 1987, p. D-6.

Vancouver Art Gallery. Topographies: Aspects of Recent British Columbia Art. Vancouver, British Columbia: Douglas & McIntyre, 1996.

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