Name/Title
Motherhood IIEntry/Object ID
2018.08.20.bDescription
Print
Motherhood II depicts an elderly couple, the woman looking contentedly down upon her daughter (that you don't see) with her husband behind who has supported her as a mother for many years. Vickers himself has explained that his aunt and uncle were the inspiration for this portrait - he spent a few months every year with them as a child and he called them his "summer parents".
The image of the couple in their traditional garments and the man's painted cedar hat is presented in extreme realistic detail, with great depth and texture. The colours reflect the earthy nature of woven materials, such as ochre, umber and sienna, along with touches of black and red that highlight the designs on their clothing and the man's hat. The woman's face shows love, tenderness and a life well-lived.Artwork Details
Medium
Screenprint on paperSubject Place
Region
Pacific NorthwestContinent
North AmericaContext
First Nations artist Arthur Vickers was asked by Vancouver, B.C.'s Grace Hospital (now B.C. Women's Hospital and Health Centre) to create a work of art to embody his feelings about the hospital where he, and his wife, were born. The art also serves as a remembrance to his mother, Grace, who passed away one year after the Motherhood series was completed. This is Vickers' only work of art where his family members were the models. You will note the eagle feather (visible in the small window mat opening below that of the main image), often included in his art - Vickers' mother was adopted into the Eagle clan and he is a member of the same clan. Vickers drew his specific inspiration for this series from a meeting of First Nations from across the Northwest Coast at Bella Bella in 1993.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Arthur Freeman Vickers, OBC. Former UCBC Member ArtistRole
ArtistDate made
1994Time Period
20th CenturyNotes
ARTIST STATEMENT
"The idea of coming up with an image that could help the Grace [Hospital] fundraise was an honour for me."...These works of art "are a tribute to all mothers. To my mom, to my aunt Jane, to every mother."
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Born in British Columbia, Arthur Freeman Vickers is a Canadian First Nations artist and storyteller of international renown. He spent his early childhood in the coastal Tsimshian village of Kitkatla where he spent time with his grandfather, a fisherman and canoe carver. His mother was of English and Canadian heritage and his father was of Heiltsuk, Tsimshian and Haida First Nations ancestry. This blend of cultural influences provides Vickers with a distinctive insight.
Following earlier careers as a fisherman and carpenter, Vickers has devoted himself to art since 1989. He has worked in many media, from drawing and carving to painting and printmaking. His handcrafted, multi-layered, low-relief sculpting in 24k gold leaf is a unique method, which he developed. In recognition of his art, his many contributions to charities and his role in sustaining First Nations heritage, Vickers received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria in 2006. In 2008 he received the Order of British Columbia followed by a Distinguished Alumni award from Camosun College in 2010. Today, Vickers lives in the seaside village of Cowichan Bay where he and his wife operate an art gallery devoted to his work.Edition
Edition
MotherhoodEdition Size
155Edition Number
17Notes
Motherhood II is two in a series of three screenprints. See 2018.08.20a and 2018.08.20c.
"MacDougall/Willis Limited Edition Screenprinting" provided certificates of authenticity for other Vickers' Motherhood series up for online auction.Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Signature, Date, EditionLocation
Signed and dated lower right: A. Vickers '94
Titled lower centre: MOTHERHOOD
Editioned lower left: 17/155Dimensions
Dimension Description
Visible imageHeight
34.9 cmWidth
27.3 cmRelationships
Related Entries
Notes
By Arthur Freeman Vickers:
2018.08.20a Motherhood I
2018.08.20 b Motherhood II
2018.08.20c Motherhood III
