Hearts and Hands Oaklands Elementary

PUBLIC INSTALLATION

The Hearts and Hands project began in 2018 as an effort to bring Indigenous learning to younger minds. The various animals on the totem were chosen by the students to celebrate community and honour Indigenous knowledge. Carey worked “hearts on, hands on” with the children for this project, as its aim was to integrate authentic cultural experiences into the classroom.

Each child also had the opportunity to imprint their hands on a mural to signify the vitality of reconciliation and healing for future generations. The totem was unveiled on May 27, 2021 with a ceremony and celebration. A documentary film was also created to commemorate the project.

OTHER 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.

Totem 2.0

Unveiled in 2025 at the Baumann Centre, Ḵ̓a̱mtila – To Write a New Song was more than a decade in the making. Carved from 14 pieces of second-growth red cedar it reflects both deep cultural tradition and urgent environmental realities.

All My Relations RRU

All My Relations is a stainless steel installation in the Dogwood Auditorium at Royal Roads University. The design speaks to the concept of the Kwakwak’awakw term awi’nakola, which means to live in good relations with the land, air, water, spirit world, and everything within them.

ka’yasu’/ne’nakw

A shadow is formed by the presence of a form disrupting light. Paint, cracked and faded, conveys the presence of sunlight, weather, and the passage of time.

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.

Past, Present, Future

Developed for PC Urban, Past, Present, Future is a large installation of Core 10 steel.

T’Souke Welcome Figure

A totem that will present as a welcome figure for T'Sou-ke Nation.

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.

Cool Aid Totem

An ongoing collaborative project between Carey and the Victoria Cool Aid Society, where Indigenous clients can link their recovery within the cultural context of carving a totem pole.

Dancing Wind

A large-scale commission for the 2010 Olympic Games, consisting of four large panels created from stainless steel, cedar, and glass.

Interested in commissioning Carey Newman for your next project?

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