Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun Lets’lo:tseltun, of Cowichan (Hul’q’umi’num Coast Salish) and Okanagan (Syilx) descent, is one of Canada’s most influential contemporary artists. For over four decades, he has used painting, installation, and performance to confront colonial narratives, challenge systemic injustice, and assert Indigenous sovereignty. His work blends Coast Salish aesthetics with surrealist and pop art influences, creating visually striking and politically charged pieces.
Living and working on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples, his work has been exhibited globally, including at the Tate Modern and the National Gallery of Canada. His landmark exhibition Unceded Territories at the Museum of Anthropology affirmed his role as a vital voice—one that calls viewers to engage with truth, history, and the future of this land.