February 23 – April 6, 2004

Maltwood Art Museum and Gallery

Curated Dr. Andrea Walsh, Professor in Anthropology at UVic

This exhibition documents a moment in the evolving relationship between First Nations people and European settlers through children’s eyes. While occasionally expressing a deep sense of wonder at the modern age, these drawings predominantly record vital aspects of traditional Okanagan culture.

In 1931, Anthony Walsh (no relation to Andrea Walsh), an Irish immigrant arrived at the Inkameep Day school near Oliver, B.C. to teach children from eh Osoyoos Indian Band. Walsh encouraged his students to depict the world around them and their way of life. He allowed the children to create freely, in their own style, without the constraints of either classical European representation or traditional aboriginal styles.