VMF2020 Artist Feature: Thomas Cannell
Now that the dust has settled on an extra special and inspiring Winter Arts event, we are shifting into mural season and are excited to highlight more of the beautiful pieces artists made for VMF 2020 to get you stoked for VMF 2021!
It was a massive honour to have an established artist like Thomas Cannell creating work for the Festival. He was selected by our Curator, Sierra Tasi Baker, who brought a strong emphasis on inclusion of local MST (Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh) artists in her curation. With Sierra’s leadership, we were able to continue to develop both MST artist representation and MST curation at VMF in 2020.
In 2020, our first connection with artists was always over the phone, and it was such a fun phone call when we let Thomas know he was selected for a super massive wall downtown. Thomas was excited to design something on the East-facing wall of the Patricia Hotel. Its a really notable building in the area with a lot of history. It is also a super visible wall from the street. Mural artists usually love getting assigned high visibility large walls. Yet, we cannot acquire these kinds of walls for everyone, due to the finite number that exist and their very high cost - so we find ways to decide based on the values of the organization, the curators vision and what we can get funding for. This was one of 2020’s big walls (we call them “hero walls”), and we really wanted to showcase one of Vancouver’s leading public artists in a way that would create a powerful and positive impact in the area. We were hustling for funding, and then we got great news -- The Strathcona Business Improvement Association stepped up and helped fund the mural for all to enjoy.
We were impressed with the interview that Sad Mag did with Thomas Cannell in their September 2020 issue. They both graciously are allowing us to print an extended version of the interview below. Special thanks to Sad Mag and Thomas Cannell for the use of these questions and answers.
Artist Statement:
“In Coast Salish culture, we teach our children that whenever a creature shows up frequently, this is a sign telling us to focus on areas of personal growth. I’ve created this imagery of caterpillars and a butterfly to bring awareness to the transformations we take for granted.
I designed a Butterfly story because she symbolizes great transformation and personal growth within the young and young at heart, in many different cultures around the world.
With such power attributed to something so gentle, Butterflies are a symbol of life, so fragile. Every action, no matter how large or small, will bring an opposite reaction. The Butterfly reminds us to be aware and create balance and unity in our mind and spirit.
What if that change you’ve been afraid of is the one that gives you wings, for, when the caterpillar could not go any further, she began to fly.”
SAD Mag interview with Thomas Cannell – Vancouver Mural Festival –Diversity Initiatives Piece
Can you tell me a little about your mural/ how long have you been involved with the festival?
I have been Invited by the festival in past years, but schedule conflicts were always there. This Year I was invited by Sierra and it worked out.
My mural is based on my style, it is creating a focal point, but also the viewer gets to look for other things within the design which are there but not as obvious. I think this adds layers and provides viewers and critics a chance to see something different each time they gaze upon the mural.
What did you take into account when designing your mural for the Patricia Hotel?
My initial reaction was wow. What a great opportunity for a bright design because the hotel is neutral in colour. The owners had seen my work and had a particular style in mind so my focus was to please them while following my own vision. You will notice that a couple of the colours I used are the accent colours of the Patricia Hotel, i.e. the sign and awnings.
This year's festival is spanning across nine neighborhoods. How do you think your mural speaks to the Downtown East side and your own Coastal Salish art traditions?
Coast Salish Traditional territory is vast, so I think it is important to show in every neighbourhood. I chose to create a bright uplifting colour palate. I want this mural to glow. A beacon in the Downtown Eastside. Hopefully it can brighten someone’s day every day.
In terms of my own Coast Salish traditions, my artworks are always WELCOMING. A time honoured Coast Salish tradition.
What does reclaiming spaces through muralism mean to you as a Musqueam artist?
Great sense of Pride. Citizens of the lower mainland are realizing that we are an incredibly influential and powerful nation but just as we have always been. We are gentle. Like a bee hive.
Additionally, this year’s festival is taking place at a crossroads between COVID-19 & a wider social movement for racial justice. How (if at all) do you see this year's Van Mural Festival responding to Anti-Black racism protests/ Anti-pipeline protests that we have seen take place this year?
Van Mural Fest celebrates Black Resurgence in their curated artwork. In fact, they recently hosted an artist talk featuring 4 of this years Black Artists. To discuss issues such as What are the barriers? How might muralism combat Anti-Black racism in public spaces? How do conversations around tokenism intersect with this work? What has the experience of creating and completing murals for the festival been like? What does celebration and resurgence look like for Black artists and curators in Vancouver?
Racial and ethnic Minority artworks are my favorite because they are so playful/spirited and treasured.
I don’t think we feel like tokens, at least I know I don’t. Art is controversial always, you either like it or you don’t.
Are there any significant changes you made to your plans for the festival as this tumultuous year has been unfolding?
This year has been abysmal. I am excited that the Van Mural Fest went ahead. I have been socially distancing since a trip I took in February. I wish that the community could come together for Van Mural Fest Events. I would love to meet like-minded artists, but everything is online nowadays it seems.
Why do you think it’s important for Vancouver’s public spaces to be reshaped by BIPOC stories/voices/art?
I think it’s important that Vancouver’s public spaces showcase Vancouver Artists. And more importantly BIPOC stories/voices/art because these have been dismissed and brushed under the rug out of view for centuries here.
One of the goals of this year's festival is to highlight Indigenous artists. How did you find this initiative reflecting the city’s arts and culture scene (or even the city's values, more broadly)?
The art world has always celebrated indigenous art. That’s why it can be found in Museums in every country around the world. More and more people are becoming interested in the Values that are tied to these artworks. Indigenous art has always been important to Van Mural Fest, representation is increasing every year which it should be. This initiative reflects the city’s arts and culture scene today. The most important lesson here, is that critics understand that native art is not what you see in a museum, that’s the past. We live now and are evolving and adapting and my blood still comes from this land from thousands of years ago. So I really don’t like when someone comments, ”that doesn’t look like INDIAN art.”
