JAMES HARRY

“lháẃḵem (Blue Mussel)” stands as the inaugural sculpture in James Harry’s “Poetry of Language” abstract series. This body of work delves deeply into the deconstruction and subsequent re-imagining of Salish designs. Departing from traditional influences, the artwork ties to Harry’s exploration of Salish form and its origins. Anchored in the context of place, the story unfolds by the tranquil expanse of the Burnard Inlet, once brimming with vibrant marine life, including the inter-tidal blue mussel. James’ artistic intent solidifies in the form of a sculpture that serves as a memorial to the once abundant presence of these captivating life forms.

This work consists of two large white sculptural shell forms cast in fiberglass with copper-coloured inlay in the shape of the Blue Mussel—the main native inter tidal mussel in the Northern Pacific. The sculptures measure approximately 4.27m (14ft) tall and are set apart, facing each other, to create a hollow interior space, inviting viewers to engage with the work from afar as well as up close. The sculpture is created out of fiberglass with a steel internal framework. The surface of the outer shell has a smooth, opaque polyresin finish, painted using high-performance industrial epoxy paint (for the white area) and metallic paint (for the copper inlay), and sealed using a high-gloss polyurethane clear coat. The interior face is finished in epoxy resin and illuminated with LED pot lighting installed in the sculpture’s base, producing the effect of interior illumination and providing visibility and a welcoming space for viewers at night. Drawing on the rich connection between the Coast Salish people and the abundant sea life of the Pacific Ocean to tell a story of place, the Work incorporates Coast Salish elements, standing as a symbol of the resurgence of Salish art and the reclamation of space.

About James Harry