Indigenous artist, master carver, filmmaker, author, mentor, and public speaker.

Carey Newman
Hayalthkin’geme

On my father’s side, I am from the Kwakwaka’wakw from the Kukwekum, Giiksam, and WaWalaby’ie clans of Fort Rupert, and Coast Salish from Cheam of the Sto:lo Nation along the upper Fraser Valley, in what is now called British Columbia. My mother’s family are settlers of English, Irish and Scottish ancestry.

COMPLETED INSTALLATIONS

Witness Blanket

Inspired by a woven blanket, the Witness Blanket is a large-scale work of art. It contains hundreds of items reclaimed from residential schools, churches, government buildings and traditional and cultural structures from across Canada.

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The Last Totem

The final totem carved out of old growth red cedar to inspire industry and government change in the face of a climate crisis.

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Mind, Body and Spirit

Commissioned for the Baumann Centre through Pacific Opera Victoria, Mind, Body and Spirit is a work of art integrated into the functionality of the building.

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Earth Drums

An interactive installation that invites viewers to consider their connection with the land by creating music for the earth.

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CURRENT PROJECTS

Totem 2.0

This 12’ private commission is the next in Carey’s Totem 2.0 series.

t̓saxa̱ns pole

This 16’ pole is being carved from a piece of salvaged red cedar.

VR Witness Blanket

Creating a virtual reality version of the Witness Blanket is an effort to make the artwork more accessible to a wider audience.

Brost Foundation

A commissioned collaborative project with German contemporary artist Marcus Kiel and funded by the Brost Foundation.

The Seedling Project

An ongoing project with the University of Victoria, Carey is working towards designing a 3D model for a cedar totem pole - one that will be carved generations from now after a sapling planted on campus reaches full maturity. The aim of the project is to create a plan that can be committed to for decades to come. The work opposes standard four-year election cycles or fiscal year ends, as a way to nourish our relationship with the land and question colonial systems in power.

Telus Ocean

The site-specific designs integrated into this building façade are inspired by species that once thrived in the mudflats known as xwsзyq’әm. This part of the harbour was filled in and developed in the early 1900’s displacing Lekwungen people. Memories of Xwsзyq’әm is a recognition of the layered histories of the lands we inhabit and a call for us to remember, honour and respect the original Peoples of these territories.

Smaller Works

DOCUMENTARY FILMS

Oaklands Totem

A heartwarming documentary that follows the creation of the Hearts and Hands at Oaklands Elementary. The film signifies the vitality of molding Indigenous knowledge into the education system as a step towards reconciliation.

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Witness Blanket

The Witness Blanket stands as a national monument to recognize the atrocities of the Indian residential school era, honour the children, and symbolize ongoing reconciliation.

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Before the Sun

An intimate and thrilling portrait of a young Siksika woman, Logan Red Crow, and the deep bonds between her father and family. Set in the golden plains of Blackfoot Territory, she prepares for one of the most dangerous horse races in the world… the Indian Relay.

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