CEDAR + IRON
Cedar + Iron is a sculptural mask that captures the tension between the wild Pacific Northwest forests and human encroachment. Inspired by traditional Indigenous mask carvings from around the world, it re-purposes deforestation tools as symbolic adornments, embodying the forest's strength and resilience in the face of climate change and environmental degradation.
Design
Context. Created as part of a sculpture class, this mask was inspired by the traditional mask carvings of the Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Primarily, the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. A wide array of traditional Japanese and African masks were also studied during the research for this work.
Land Acknowledgment. I would like to recognize the privilege I have in studying, creating, and living on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Personal Context. Cedar + Iron is a physical personification of the rugged and hostile Pacific Northwest Forests. The point where true wilderness meets civilization. This mask is a symbol of the forest's ability to push back against a designed environment. The re-purposing of tools originally designed to rip trees, limb from limb as jewellery and the menacing facial expression create a metaphorical warrior mask.
Material
Wood. Reclaimed Western Red Cedar is a primary material salvaged from a local arborist company here in North Vancouver, Canada.
Iron. Found object sculpture. The iron elements of this piece are vintage logging equipment reclaimed from the oceans and forests of British Columbia.
