---Pieces of art are such amazing creations for the simple fact that they are truly a manifestation and pure embodiment of so many different aspects of one’s life. An art piece is like a web, it begins with the telling of a story, and as time goes on, that story grows, evolves, and cumulates. It is for this reason that public art has become such an integral part of many communities, including that of the University of Victoria. All across the campus there lives a wide array of outdoor public art pieces. Not only does an art piece visually enhance the space in which it resides, but it also acts as a representation and embodiment of the thoughts and values of a previous people, place, and time. These pieces are a significant feature of the landscape in which we live, and we believe it is important for people to acquaint themselves with this art in order to better understand their own cultural landscape. We feel that by acquiring knowledge of the art pieces across campus, people will better engage with the past, present, and future of the University of Victoria, and thus increase their own sense of place on campus.---

Elliott Totem Pole
Artist: Charles Elliott
Date: June 3, 1990

Photo taken by Ashlene Nairn

There is a legend about a young man named SWIWLES’S, who was a very good dancer, so good, in fact, that the creator granted him the gift of foretelling the future. SWIWLES’S was not to tell anyone of this gift, yet he was so excited that he whispered the news to his wife. Immediately he realized that he had betrayed the creator by telling his wife, so the two of them packed up all their belongings and paddled their canoe towards Cordova Bay, with the hopes of hiding from the creator. When they arrived on shore, the creator spoke to them, but SWIWLES’S and his wife continued up the hill without stopping to listen. The creator became angry at this and cast a round black stone at them, hitting them, and turning them both into stones forever. (see below for full story). (4).

This is the story that the 26 foot high Elliott Totem Pole depicts. This pole was created from a 500 year old red cedar tree that was cut down near the town of Caycuse and transported all the way to the artist’s home in Brentwood Bay. Making a totem pole is no easy task, once it has been cut down and transported, it must be washed, reduced down- as to use the best part of the wood, all the sap needs to be peeled off, and finally the carving can begin. The pole was moved to the campus in the middle of May in order for the public to view Elliott at work, and when it was raised, a traditional Salish pole-blessing ceremony was conducted by tribal elders. (3).

Photo from The Ring, Vol.16 No.11, July 16, 1990. pg.2

The Elliott pole was specially commissioned by the University of Victoria as part of the celebrations for the Learned Societies Conference that took place on June 3rd, 1990 (2). It “was commissioned to commemorate the original inhabitants of the UVic area”, as UVic is situated on traditional Salish territory (3). The carver, Charles Elliott, was specifically chosen as the artist, not only for his master carving skills, but also for his leadership role within the Coast Salish community.

Elliott has worked his whole life with endless determination to reclaim the heritage and culture of the Coast Salish people. Fearful of the loss of Coast Salish art, Elliott researched extensively to rediscover the symbolic imagery and language of the Coast Salish people, which he now represents so well through his artwork. He continuously encourages people to take part in the knowledge of Coast Salish traditions, as he not only acts as a personal mentor to young artists, but also gives lectures on Salish art as well. (1).

Legend of the Totem Pole, UVic Torch Alumni Magazine
Autumn, 1990 Vol.10 No.1

Links:

Bio
Charles Elliott

Content contributed by Ashlene Nairn and Claire Daniels