Metis artist breathes new life into Victoria B.C.’s landmark Unity Wall
by marika_gabriel | 13 December 2024 8:00 am
[1]The work that Campbell restored includes designs of two local Indigenous artists. Photo courtesy Greater Victoria Harbour Authority via Facebook
Several art pieces that are part of a mural honouring the South Salish Nations, located on the breakwaters of the harbour in Victoria, B.C., were recently restored by Jesse Campbell, a local Metis artist. The Unity Wall, commissioned by the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) in 2009, stands as “an enormous canvas upon which First Nations artists and the youth they mentored shared their stories with the world”.
According to CHEK News[2], artist Jesse Campbell said it is important to maintain the “legacy” mural. “It is the largest piece of Salish art that I’m aware of locally. It’s one of the longest murals in North America and definitely one of the longest in Canada,” he said.
The Metis artist has been involved in the project since it was established and returns to it every couple of years to help maintain it.
The GVHA appreciated his efforts, posting on Facebook that maintaining the Breakwater is no small feat[3], but Campbell’s restoration work will help preserve the artwork for years to come.
The restoration was made even more challenging by the Unity Wall’s remote location, Campbell told CHEK news. He said all the painting equipment was put into a cart and dragged to the breakwater. “I scrape off all the old material, I do a basecoat, a sealant, and I do another topcoat on top of that,” he said.
The work that Campbell restored includes designs of two local Indigenous artists: Darlene Gait (Xʷsepsəm Nation) and Butch Dick Yux’wey’lupton (Songhees Nation). He hoped the mural would “spark inspiration for more public art — showcasing local artists, including those from First Nations — while encouraging acceptance, not hate.”
The Unity Wall is one of the largest murals in Canada and a prominent feature at the Victoria Cruise Terminal. It has become an iconic landmark as one of the first sights that greet visitors. It is also a cherished local attraction, admired by residents daily.
- [Image]: https://www.signmedia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/MG_UnityWall.jpg
- According to CHEK News: https://cheknews.ca/a-big-real-impact-metis-artist-restores-sprawling-indigenous-mural-along-victorias-breakwater-1228136/
- posting on Facebook that maintaining the Breakwater is no small feat: https://www.facebook.com/gvicharbour/posts/994066509411510?ref=embed_post
Source URL: https://www.signmedia.ca/metis-artist-breathes-new-life-into-victoria-b-c-s-landmark-unity-wall/