Exhibition of sculptures for ArtConnect Project
Introduction:
Lydia Ordonez Niles, Chair of the Port Credit 175th Anniversary Committee
Janis Alton Chair of Port Credit Village Project
Winning artist:
Philip H. Cote with “Life Flows into the Four Directions”
Forerunners:
David M. General with “
Ludzer Vandermolen, Vice Graham, Peter Sutherland
Organized by Port Credit Village Project
Supported by Motika Gallery of Fine Arts
Motyka Gallery of Fine Arts exhibited ArtConnect Project finalists’ maquettes – the winning sculpture of Philip H. Cote and other finalists, David M General, Lutzer Vandermolen, Peter Shutherland and Vince Graham. They were displayed in a lovely art environment.
Artist Philip H. Cote performed an Aboriginal ritual of smudging. He also played the drum and sang. The artists presented their visions for the ArtConnect Project and actively engaged in open and friendly discussion with the public. The media was present and recorded the event in the form of a lengthy interview with winner Philip H Cote.
By Julia Lee
Philip H. Cote’s art has made a connection with the community of Port Credit. The artist’s piece of four sculptured heads atop an earth mound, with each head measuring 12-15 feet long, has been chosen as the vision that best commemorates Port Credit’s 175th anniversary and shares the village’s rich history and spirit. A model of Cote’s work was exhibited at the meeting at The Waterside Inn, along with model sculptures from David M. General and Ludzer Vandermolen, who worked with colleagues Vince Graham and Peter Sutherland to complete his idea. The meeting was part of a public forum where residents were invited to help in the selection of the winning design by giving their critique of the work. Jury members from the Port Credit Village Project, a non-profit organization of community volunteers, made the final selection of the sculpture. “The winning sculpture introduces a simple but powerful composition which almost perfectly integrates deep meaningful spirituality of the First Nation’s culture with a natural waterfront setting,” the jury commented. “The beautiful blend of nature and human spirituality could become the most popular designation and landmark of Port Credit.” Cote, who lives in Etobicoke, said he was ’honored and excited about creating the monument-sized work. He said it’s every artist’s dream come true to have work in a public space for everyone to enjoy. He said the four heads represent four different groups- the Ojibway, Odawa, Pottawatomi and Mississauga nations converging together at the Credit River. Cote adds the way the heads are placed around the earth mound is also symbolic of a unity wheel, which shows the relationship of all things in a unity of perfect form. He said it’s interesting how people philosophized thousands of years ago that people of difference races would eventually gather and meet in one place. “That’s the only way things will work,” he said, drawing a parallel to today’s society. “To have one (race) missing would be incomplete.”
