Margaret August is a Two-Spirited, Coast Salish artist from Shíshálh Nation. Margaret was born in the traditional unceded lək̓ wəŋən and W̱SANEĆ territories, now referred to as Victoria B.C. Margaret’s work is inspired by their traditional teachings and encounters with nature. Margaret originally began developing their artistic talents at an early age. They carried on with their visual art practice as they became an adult. Some of their artistic influences include renowned artists such as Susan Point, Mark Preston and Butch Dick. Margaret has been showing work in group art shows since 2011, taking the necessary time to grow as an artist while developing their own style and their business skills. In 2019, Margaret started working with further training under the guidance and mentorship of fellow Coast Salish artist Dylan Thomas, to sharpen their skill set in Salish art and design. This has led to creating art in multiple mediums such as serigraph/giclee prints, glass, cedar sandblasted pieces and more. Margaret is committed to their art practice as they believe it is their life’s purpose.
Nicole Mandryk is Anishinaabe, Irish and Ukrainian and her traditional name is Niibinobinesiik. Her name translates to Summer Thunderbird, and its physical representation is the loon. Her ancestry on her mother’s side of the family comes from Oka. Her mother was raised in Ottawa disconnected from community as a result of the Indian Act. Her father’s side of the family are Ukrainian. These ancestors settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Nicole and her sister were born and raised on the on the traditional territory of the lək̓ wəŋən , Esquimalt, and W̱SANEĆ nations. She is a grateful guest on these territories and raises her hands to the caretakers of the land, skies, and waters. Nicole is a visual artist who is dedicated to Anishinaabe art practices. She is inspired by Anishinaabe stories, art, land, language, and songs. Nicole has been engaged in performative arts through Indigenous showcases and has been asked by community to compose and share songs. These songs have been sung by The Wildflowers, ANSWER, and the Lafayette String Quartet for the project B.K Weigel/Lafayette String Quartet Legacy Project. She is also an emerging beadwork artist since 2014. Nicole’s mentors are Lindsay Delaronde (Mohawk), Jessica Gokey (Anishinaabe) and Lynette La Fontaine (Métis). Her work was featured in the exhibition On Beaded Ground (Legacy Art Gallery, 2021).
Margaret August and Nicole Mandryk participated in the Visiting Artist Program in 2021.
Two Spirit Rising Part Two (Exhibition Installation Image to Come)
In the centre of the tunic, Margaret August painted two Coast Salish thunderbirds surrounding a human figure. Thunderbirds are symbols of power, protection, and strength. The supernatural power of thunderbird spirits come to help the people and provide spiritual protection. When they flap their wings, thunder and lightning strike. It is said that they can take human form when they lift their heads up, as shown in this design. The human in this art piece represents two spirit people because they bring special gifts to the world and offer a similar protection as the Thunderbirds. Two-Spirit bring a balance to the world and their healing powers are very important on earth. The Thunderbirds understand this and are here to protect our sacred gendered people.
To compliment the central painted design, Nicole’s beaded pieces add in the elements of Aki (the earth) and the sky-world. The Thunderbird holds strong cultural significance for Nicole, as her Anishinaabemowin name Niibinobinesiik translates to “Summer Thunderbird”. Thunderbirds are not always seen physically so they have bird representation on earth. For example, the summer thunderbird is physically represented by the loon. Therefore, the central blue floral represents a lake with varying green and blue tones, where we can hear the beautiful call of the loon. The surrounding beadwork contains blueberries and small florals, plant life that is nourished by the rains brought by Thunder beings. Thunderbirds also have representation in the skies above as they bring lighting and rains. The purple florals found on the two shoulders show the vast skies above where the Thunderbirds strike their lighting from.