Tag: Rande Cook

Rande Cook Attends Official Exhibition Opening in the Netherlands

 

Thunderbird and orca totem by Rande Cook, image courtesy of the Museum Volkenkunde Leiden, the Netherlands

Rande Cook returned to the Netherlands to attend the official unveiling and exhibition opening of “The Story of the Totem Pole” an interactive exhibition at the Museum Volkenkunde Leiden. The central element of the exhibition, which exhibits first nations traditions of the American Pacific Northwest and Canada, is the massive 8-meter thunderbird and orca totem pole designed by Cook and completed by him, along with a core team of fellow Kwakwaka’wakw carvers and painters. This is the first and only totem pole in the Netherlands. The opening was commemorated by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet and included opportunities to share traditional costumes and dances with attendees. See more photographs of the events and exhibition here.

Rande Cook’s Netherlands Totem Collaboration Covered in The Times Colonist

First Nations artist Rande Cook, here at his studio on Bridge Street in Victoria, was selected from an open call to artists from bands across the Pacific Northwest to participate in an exhibition in the Netherlands. Photograph by: Lyle Stafford, timescolonist.com
First Nations artist Rande Cook, here at his studio on Bridge Street in Victoria, was selected from an open call to artists from bands across the Pacific Northwest to participate in an exhibition in the Netherlands.
Photograph by: Lyle Stafford, timescolonist.com

Check out the Tmes Colonist article on Rande by Amy Smart:  “Totem goes Dutch: Victoria-based carver’s work part of First Nations exhibit in the Netherlands”

An excerpt:

Kwakwaka’wakw history – from the mass loss of art during the potlatch ban in the 1880s through persistent poverty on reserves – is all connected in his art. But at the same time, Cook is conscientious of defining his own voice and moving across traditional boundaries that have separated First Nations art from others.

“I push myself, not only to create my own distinctive style, but to continue to tell stories – stories of today,” he said. “I want to connect with the rest of the world.

 

Rande Cook Collaborates with Aqua-Artist Peter Lewis

– Image of Rande Cook in the Cowichan News Leader

Rande Cook is at it again, this time collaborating with artist Peter Lewis to create the coolest “drinking fountain” I’ve ever seen.

The original was commissioned for Duncan, BC’s centennial. Rande’s sculpture will be cast in  fiberglass by artist Richard Gibson to produce the finished piece.  In all, 25 clones will be cast and “sold at $45,000 to global collectors, institutions and cities saluting the City of Totems” with funds going back into the Duncan treasury.

Read the full article on their collaboration by Peter Rusland for the Cowichan News Leader.

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