Andy Everson, Ally
Andy Everson
1972-
K’ómoks/Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw
Date
2018
Medium Specific
Giclee
Edition / State
136/200
Classification
Print
Dimensions
9 11/16 x 7 11/16 in. (24.6 x 19.5 cm)Sheet: 8 1/2 x 11 in. (21.6 x 27.9 cm)
Accession Number
2019.25.20.50
Memo / Artist Statement
When we look around us, we see plenty of people that are opposed to Indigenous peoples taking up their rights. They believe that we “get too much from the government already” or that we’re always “looking for handouts”. They believe that by simply saying that we’re now on an “equal playing field” that somehow we are. We are not…and the modern Treaty system makes sure of that!
What Indigenous people need are allies—individuals who will use their positions of privilege to speak up for Indigenous peoples. Perhaps more importantly, we also need them to listen to what we have to say and not presume that their positions of privilege or authority somehow negate our voice. Indigenous peoples value our allies from all cultures and walks of life and encourage these friends to walk (or roll) together with us into the future.…
What Indigenous people need are allies—individuals who will use their positions of privilege to speak up for Indigenous peoples. Perhaps more importantly, we also need them to listen to what we have to say and not presume that their positions of privilege or authority somehow negate our voice. Indigenous peoples value our allies from all cultures and walks of life and encourage these friends to walk (or roll) together with us into the future.…
Biography
Andy Everson was born in Comox, BC in 1972 and named Na̱gedzi after his grandfather, the late Chief Andy Frank of the K’ómoks First Nation. Andy has also had the honour of being seated with the ‘Na̱mg̱is T̓sit̓sa̱ł'walag̱a̱me' name of Ḵ̓wa̱mxa̱laga̱lis I'nis. Influenced heavily by his grandmother, he has always been driven to uphold the traditions of both the K’ómoks and Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw First Nations. In this regard, Andy has pursued avenues where he can sing traditional songs and perform ceremonial dances at potlatches and in a number of different dance groups, most notably the Le-La-La Dancers, the Gwa'wina Dancers and the K’umugwe Dancers.
Pursuing other areas of traditional culture has also led Andy to complete a Master’s degree in anthropology. Because the K’ómoks First Nation lies on the border between the larger Salish and Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw realms, his thesis focused on notions and expressions of contemporary Comox identity. His work in anthropology provided him with a background in linguistics which subsequently inspired him to create a company, Copper Canoe, Inc, that specialized in the creation of Aboriginal language media.
Andy feels that his artwork stands on par with these other accomplishments. Although he began drawing Northwest Coast art at an early age, Andy's first serious attempt wasn’t until 1990 when he started designing and painting chilkat-style blankets for use in potlatch dancing. From these early self-taught lessons, he has tried to follow in the footsteps of his Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw relatives in creating bold and unique representations that remain rooted in the age-old traditions of his ancestors. The ability to create and print most of his own work has allowed Andy to explore and express his ancestral artwork in a number of contemporary ways.
http://www.andyeverson.com
Pursuing other areas of traditional culture has also led Andy to complete a Master’s degree in anthropology. Because the K’ómoks First Nation lies on the border between the larger Salish and Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw realms, his thesis focused on notions and expressions of contemporary Comox identity. His work in anthropology provided him with a background in linguistics which subsequently inspired him to create a company, Copper Canoe, Inc, that specialized in the creation of Aboriginal language media.
Andy feels that his artwork stands on par with these other accomplishments. Although he began drawing Northwest Coast art at an early age, Andy's first serious attempt wasn’t until 1990 when he started designing and painting chilkat-style blankets for use in potlatch dancing. From these early self-taught lessons, he has tried to follow in the footsteps of his Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw relatives in creating bold and unique representations that remain rooted in the age-old traditions of his ancestors. The ability to create and print most of his own work has allowed Andy to explore and express his ancestral artwork in a number of contemporary ways.
http://www.andyeverson.com
Date of Bio