Susan Point facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susan Point
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| Born | April 5, 1952 |
| Nationality | Musqueam-Canadian |
| Education | Self-taught |
| Known for | Sculptor |
| Movement | Coast Salish |
| Awards | YWCA Woman of Distinction |
| Elected | Royal Canadian Academy of Arts |
Susan Point RCA (born in 1952) is a talented Musqueam Coast Salish artist from Canada. She creates amazing art in the traditional Coast Salish style.
Her sculptures, prints, and public artworks can be seen in many important places. These include the Vancouver International Airport, the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C., and Stanley Park in Vancouver. You can also find her art at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, and in the city of Seattle.
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About Susan Point
Susan Point was born in Alert Bay in 1952. At the time, her parents, Edna Grant and Anthony Point, were fishing for salmon. Her family spoke Halkomelem, which is a traditional Salish language, at their home on the Musqueam First Nation lands.
Bringing Back Coast Salish Art
In the early 1980s, Susan joined other artists who wanted to bring back old Coast Salish art traditions. Not much was known about Salish art at that time. So, Susan taught herself by studying old artworks.
She looked closely at Coast Salish art collections. These were kept at the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia and the Royal British Columbia Museum. Her hard work helped make modern Coast Salish art popular again.
Susan Point's Unique Style
Susan Point was a leader in sharing Salish art with more people. Before her, art from the northern Northwest Coast was more well-known. She studied old Salish art very carefully. This helped her create new pieces.
She often took traditional spindle whorl carvings and turned them into screen prints. Her art helped bring new attention to her culture. By 2016, she had made over 360 prints, more than any other artist from the Coast.
For many years, starting in the late 1990s, she created a big public artwork each year. These were often in British Columbia or the Seattle area. She also continued to make prints and glass artworks.
In 2017, the Vancouver Art Gallery held a special show of her work. It was called Susan Point: Spindle Whorl.
Famous Artworks
Susan Point has created many important pieces of art. Her work often tells stories and shares the history of her people.
Salish Footprint
One of her famous works is Salish Footprint. You can see it at the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. She also made Musqueam house posts for the American Museum of Natural History.
Flight (Spindle Whorl)
In 1995, Susan's artwork "Flight (Spindle Whorl)" was placed at the Vancouver International Airport. It is the largest spindle whorl in the world. It measures 4.8 meters (16 feet) across! This piece is set against a stone waterfall. This shows the connection between the land and the sky.
Buttress Runnels
In 2008, Susan created "Buttress Runnels" for the Richmond Olympic Oval in Richmond, B.C. These runnels are like special channels. They move water from the building's roof away from the site. The runnels have images of life from the Fraser River. You can see fish, sand, and herons. The heron is a symbol for the City of Richmond. It is also important in Musqueam stories.
Tree of Life
In 2009, Susan Point's "Tree of Life" stained glass window was put in Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver. The design shows the Salish belief that all life is connected. It brings together Christian ideas and First Nations culture. This artwork mixes old traditions with modern art.
Penn Museum Glass Whorl
Since 2014, the Penn Museum has shown a glass whorl made by Susan Point in 1994. It is part of their "Native American Voices: The People – Here and Now" exhibit.
Awards and Recognition
Susan Point has received many awards and honors for her amazing artwork:
- She received honorary doctorates in Fine Arts from several universities. These include the University of British Columbia (2000), University of Victoria (2000), Simon Fraser University (2008), and Emily Carr University of Art and Design (2008).
- She was appointed to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 2004.
- She won the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in 2004.
- She was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2006.
- In 2010, she was named one of B.C.'s 100 most influential women.
- She received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
- In 2018, she won the Audain Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the Visual Arts.
See also
