Woven Histories by sonya iwasiuk in Vancouver

Woven Histories

This piece is a juried commission completed by myself and Pilar Melis in 2018. In the artwork, Woven Histories, the raised, current New Westminster map silhouette is made of repurposed paper pulp, plaster and acrylic and is etched with important names, dates and events. The original district map of 1880, excluding the islands, is laid over the top of the mainland area. Poplar and Lulu Island were added to the map in 1892. Relief images of landmarks, monuments, the Qayqayt First Nations, explorers and cultural groups who settled in the area to work in the forestry, railway and fishing industries are placed on the map along with LED lights that highlight their locations. On the river, appliqués of ships, boats and canoes denote the importance of the Fraser River to the city. The anthropomorphic fish figures carry objects on their backs to symbolize the migration of both the salmon of the Fraser River and people to the area. These Antrofish depict the creation of community, the building of important structures and the portrayal of significant events that took place in New Westminster through the ages. Indigenous people in the area considered the salmon a symbol of wealth and trade. To them, these highly esteemed beings were their main source of food and were believed to be relatives and superior to people. The Antrofish sculptures also represent the large and successful commercial fishing industry built around this resource. Heads and Tales Cooperative comprises mixed media artists Pilar Mehlis and Sonya Iwasiuk. The collaborative artist team explores visual conversation by infusing mutual interests and realizations into their projects. They create pieces from diverse media, developing the best visuals from often discarded objects and daily recyclable items. The team explores narratives around migration, immigration, belonging and the history of place. Development of community and connection, sustainability, and a profound need to protect and experience the natural world are other resounding themes important to their work.

Meet the Artist

Sonya

Vancouver, Canada

Sonya Iwasiuk is a contemporary mixed media artist and artist educator who lives and works in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She spent her childhood years roaming the enchanted prairies of Northern Alberta discovering abandoned homesteads and discarded objects. She realized that these forgotten places were very alive. They speak of people and memory, a silent history of past lives. Sonya received her diploma in advertising in 1991. An award-winning graphic designer, the spirited artist within her needed to break free and she started to pursue painting. She began to experiment with mediums other than paint and has never looked back. Through trial and error, she has developed unique techniques such as large embossed acrylic skins, mixed media paintings on her own hand-rusted steel sheets, and paintings on engraved plaster. She continuously explores and experiments with new combinations of materials and methods to present her creative vision in a distinctive and contemporary way. This adventuring also informs her art lessons and ensures that her teaching is always unique and fresh. Sonya’s artworks are often representative of her childhood years. Beautiful prairie landscapes and derelict buildings are portrayed using various media including plaster, hand-rusted steel, found or repurposed objects and gold leaf. She has also created series based on stories that she comes upon while making her way through the world. Sometimes her stories have more difficult narratives she thinks people should contemplate on such as war, forced migration, SRO’s, abuse, misogyny, homelessness, immigration, racism and prejudice and her LGBTQS2+ community. Her work has been shown in various galleries and exhibitions within British Columbia and Alberta. She has been selected by jury to create public art installation commissions as well as to participate in select art shows. In her spare time, Sonya loves camping alone in the backwoods with the wild ones, foraging for wild edibles, cultural performances and events, and spending quality time with those that she loves.

More artwork by Sonya