Photo: 2021 First Nation Art award recipient, James Harry
James Nexw’Kalus-Xwalacktun Harry, a 2021 First Nations Art award recipient, is redefining the landscape of Indigenous design. James’s work merges traditional and contemporary elements, creating a unique artistic blend of his Squamish Nation heritage. His journey reflects his exceptional talent and creativity and his commitment to honouring his culture.
James’s artistic path is deeply influenced by his father, Xwalacktun, a well-established Squamish Nation carver and recipient of the Award of Distinction, Polygon Award in First Nations Art.
Growing up under the tutelage of Xwalacktun, James was immersed in the world of Indigenous art from an early age. Watching his father carve intricate designs into wood, he developed a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship and cultural significance behind each piece. “My dad, he’s been an amazing mentor teaching kids about Coast Salish art. I was really surrounded by a lot of people in my life who have made a lot of positive change around identity.”
In secondary school, James began his career as an artist by carving the doors of the BC Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame. He later attended Emily Carr University of Art and Design, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 2014. The YVR Art Foundation honoured James with the Career Artist Scholarship in 2011 and resulted in “From Sea to Sky”, a 6’ high aluminum totem pole that emits LED lights through Coast Salish iconography cut by water jet.
By combining the use of modern tools, materials and techniques, James integrates the traditional with the contemporary. “I have to start from a piece of wood or a block of wood, it gets ingrained in my DNA, that way I can then bring it into the computer, change the curvature quickly as opposed to having to start over again.”
James envisions a future where Indigenous design is not only respected but celebrated globally. He is working on several projects that aim to bridge the gap between Indigenous art and mainstream design. One such initiative is his collaboration with his life partner and fellow artist. “Dreamweaver, a collaboration with my partner Lauren Brevner, was done in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement through Coast Salish iconography – thinking about the history through this Indigenous lens, talking about it through Coast Salish ways of knowing.”
More recently, James and Lauren (KWÍKWI) produced a 2023 joint solo exhibit The Seventh. Together, KWÍKWI acknowledges the timeless presence of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, and səlilwətaɬ peoples and their territories. Their explorations honour and respect how these extensive relationships have shaped the diverse communities that have developed here, especially the rich and culturally diverse local neighbourhoods in the city.
James’s work continues to inspire and challenge both his fellow artists and the broader community. With a unique capacity for developing thematically significant work that connects all people to the ecology of place while building a greater understanding between cultures, his process brings people together, changes ideas, and leaves a legacy to remind the community that transformations can occur.
Nominations for the 2025 First Nations Art award will be accepted through BCAF’s website until February 15.
For more information about the BC Achievement Foundation and its award programs, visit www.bcachievement.com.
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