A First Nations artist has won a $1,500 award to design a graphic for Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce’s Shop Local Support Local campaign.
The graphic will be used in promotions in 10 colour variations.
Sonny Assu, a Ligwi艂da’xw of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nations, was selected from 32 submissions.
He explores multiple media and materials in making western and Kwakwaka’wakw art. His work tackles the realities of being Indigenous in Canada.
Assu graduated with a bachelor of fine arts degree from Emily Carr University in 2002 and was given a distinguished alumni award from the university in 2006.
He received a B.C. Creative Achievement Award in First Nations Art in 2011 and in 2017 became a laureate for the Hnatyshyn Foundation’s Indigenous Art Awards. He is also an Eiteljorg Contemporary Arts Fellowship recipient for 2021.
Assu’s work has been accepted into the National Gallery of Canada, 91原创 Art Gallery and Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, among others across Canada, the United States and United Kingdom.
After living and working in 91原创 and Montreal, he and his family settled in Campbell River.
