The Last Totem
PUBLIC INSTALLATION
The Last Totem was the largest totem of Carey’s career, and the final one carved out of old growth red cedar. Traditionally, red cedar is a sacred entity, utilized by many Indigenous cultures in various ways such as building houses, carving canoes, weaving clothes, and for healing purposes. Throughout the five years it took to create the totem, Carey began to question the ethics of harvesting a disappearing resource for commercial gain. To reconcile this, he committed to three steps of action in relation to the Last Totem:
- A second totem was carved and placed near the Last Totem in Essen, Germany. This totem was composed of two joint beams from second growth trees to replicate the massive scale of an old growth. It serves to inspire change for industrial and environmental evolution.
- To facilitate zero waste, a second totem was created with the remnant pieces from the first. This process combined 3D modeling software and CNC machine technologies with a hand-carved finish. The totem was raised outside of Pacific Opera in Victoria, B.C.
- In a collaboration with artist and IMAX filmmaker Kelly Richardson, the final totem was created with a 3D printing technology that utilized a filament extracted from trees – a totem composed of collected wood shavings. Richardson projected stunning visual imagery that transformed the totem into a commentary on climate change. The work was exhibited in Germany at the 2020 Frankfurt Book Fair.
OTHER INSTALLATIONS
Dragon and Tiger Mural
A private commission that is three stories high depicting a dragon and tiger.
Convergence
A collaborative art piece created with Jordan Hill and Omid Afarinzad that resides in the Esquimalt Town Centre.
Dancing Wind
A large-scale commission for the 2010 Olympic Games, consisting of four large panels created from stainless steel, cedar, and glass.
Emily Carr Tribute
As a tribute to Emily Carr’s works, Haida Totems, Cha-atl (1912) and Big Eagle, Skidegate (1929), Carey designed and carved a wooden house front and eagle statue in Chemainus, B.C.
EAGLE Project
For the EAGLE Project, Carey collaborated with Indigenous youth to carve two totem poles. The project was one facet of a program for youth empowerment through the Victoria Native Friendship Centre.
The Humble Frog
A public installation in Wood Buffalo, Alberta that reflects the significance of humility in both concept and material.
Gary Oak Mural
Beginning as a small community project, it evolved into a mentorship program, as Carey designed the mural and commissioned two students at the University of Victoria to paint it.
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.
Frankfurt Book Fair
The Witness Blanket was featured as Canada’s “Guest of Honour” at the 2021 Frankfurt Book Fair.
Hearts and Hands
Beginning in 2018, Hearts and Hands was a project with Oaklands Elementary to integrate authentic Indigenous learning into the classroom in a “hearts on, hands on” manner.
OTHER INSTALLATIONS
Interested in commissioning Carey Newman for your next project?
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