Aboriginal artists use cola bottles as inspiration

The work of 15 Aboriginal artists from across Canada has been unveiled, chosen to be on display at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, and then auctioned off to raise money for the Aboriginal Youth Legacy Fund.

It’s an unusual project, sponsored by Coca-Cola. The artists used the contour of a supersized bottle as their canvas.

The one-of-a-kind bottles were unveiled along the route of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay between November and February.

Lionel Peyachew spoke to Raven’s Eye from his office in Regina where he teaches art at the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC). He was working on his current project, a 14-foot bronze statue for the city of Yorkton. The work, called “Counting Coup” is made up of two horses and riders and will be unveiled this spring. It will be one of the largest bronze sculptures in Saskatchewan.

His design for a Coca-Cola bottle ended up being chosen from more than 100 artist submissions. A fibreglass bottle was provided for him, and he wrapped it in buffalo hide, cured and scraped it and then sewed it on.

“It dried for three or four days. Then I started incorporating six buffalo images around the bottle.”

The outer part of the hair is darker, so by trimming the hair to the buffalo it gave a contrast which provided the pictures right in the hide.

Peyachew is originally from Red Pheasant Reserve, and was encouraged by a teacher to continue with his art, which lead him to the the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary. He has taught at campuses in Alberta as well, and then while doing a commissioned piece at the University of Regina, a teaching position came open at FNUC where he instructs traditional art, painting, and sculpture.

“It’s an honour to be representing Native artists across Canada, and it’s very good that they showcased Native artists.

When you think of it, Native people are the First People in Canada, that’s who the visitors in Europe are going to come and see and want to see,” noted Peyachew.

Aboriginal artists use cola bottles as inspiration Lionel Peyachew with his Coca-Cola bottle designed for the 2010 Olympic Games exhibit.

“This is a distinct culture. Native culture from here in Canada has existed from time immemorial.”

Artist Corinne Hunt was one of four artists chosen for the bottle challenge from British Columbia.

It’s been a heck of an Olympics so far for her, having been also chosen as the designer of the Olympic medals.

For her Coca-Cola bottle Corinne Hunt took inspiration from her potlatching culture.

“We use shields, or coppers, in our potlatches to show the wealth of the family. It’s very iconic for our culture,” explained Hunt.

Her family had hosted a potlatch in June when she was thinking of the design.

“I thought about the shape of the copper and the shape of the coke bottle and both icons.”

She fashioned silver and copper to cover a large cedar bottle, with small bottles coming out the top as if it is bubbling.

There are 351 pieces of metal in total in her design.

“When you made your proposal, you listed the materials,” Hunt explained.

“Cedar was chosen and it took awhile to attach all of [the small bottles], and they were handengraved.”

One of the other artists chosen to do a bottle is her cousin, who created a drum from his.

“Just seeing them unveiled one by one ... There was a bottle made from twigs and branches woven,” Hunt said, adding others were painted and she was looking forward to seeing them at the Olympics.

Hunt mentors students and artists, as well as teaches engraving, and has had many students over the past 25 years.

She also enjoys sharing her story with Aboriginal youth, and talks to many schools.

“I’m interested in many things, many cultures, in all art,” she said, adding that what’s important to her and to every artist is to “not to be influenced by one particular thing but to really start from where you are and what you feel. People really get that, I think.”

The Coca-Cola bottles will be on exhibit during the Games and available for purchase at auction from Feb. 15 to Feb. 25.

A totem pole created during the Games by renowned artist Clarence Mills will also be sold.

Proceeds from these sales will benefit initiatives in the areas of culture, education and sustainability for First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth.