Airport takes flight

Page 6

A magnificent thunderbird constructed of Baltic birch and powder-coated aluminum soars above a serene pool lined with river rocks and full with a West Coast canoe. They adorns the newly opened international passage of the Vancouver International Airport.

The thunderbird is Hetux, the creation of artist Connie Watts, which took six months to complete, employing Jason Godding as production assistant, as well as Greg Simpson, Chris George and Jeff Williams.

"Hetux is my grandmother, Louise Watts, who always used to tell me to never stop dreaming," said Connie. "It is a thunderbird, which signifies strength, and has a wolf for protection on either side; moons and humans on the wings for emotion and creativity; a double salmon on the stomach for prosperity; a sun on the tail which means strong, logical strength; and a wren on the neck which gives it magical qualities."

The airport's new wing showcases the vitality of British Columbia's First Nations and also features a transformation mask by Stan Wamiss, an eagle totem by Garner Moody, a contemporary dress by Pamela Baker and a metal and glass sun by Lyle Wilson.