BLANKETING THE CITY: LIGHTING THE WAY

Debra Sparrow
Lights, AR

When: Feb 22–27 // Sundown - 11:00 PM
Where: Canada Place // Cathedral Square Park // Telus Garden // Bc Place // Science World // Granville Island // The Biltmore

Blanketing The City: Lighting The Way is an evolution of the ongoing public art series designed by acclaimed xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Weaver and Designer, Debra Sparrow in collaboration with VMF. Blanketing The City: Lighting The Way transposes Coast Salish weaving patterns onto the exteriors of  Vancouver’s most iconic buildings including Canada Place, BC Place, TELUS Garden and Science World.

“Over the past 150 years, Vancouver’s vision of who it was, did not include us. Because Coast Salish weaving patterns reflect the land we are on, everyone who is here today can connect to the patterns and be invited into the vision of the identity of this place. The patterns can help the people of Vancouver get a sense of where they are, and who the people are that have been here for thousands of years. The patterns projected on the buildings in Lighting The Way are inspired by patterns on our blankets. These blankets encompass everything that we are as humans. We use them in all our communities: Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil Waututh, Tsawwassen, Kwantlen, Coquitlam, Comox, the interior and down to the States. This is a calling. I won't stop doing what I am doing until I wrap the City in our patterns.” 

- Debra Sparrow

BC PLACE

DEBRA SPARROW (ΘƏLIΧʷƏLʷƏT)

Nation: Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm / Musqueam

Debra Sparrow was born and raised on the Musqueam Indian Reserve and is self-taught in Salish design and jewelry-making. Her contemporary work combines textile and Salish design into geometric, hand spun blankets and hangings and can be seen in various museums and institutions, including the Vancouver Airport, Museum of Civilizations in Ottawa and the University of British Columbia.

Debra designed the logo for the Canadian Men’s Hockey Team for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C. and created Blanketing The City, a public art series that transforms Coast Salish weaving patterns into large-scale murals and light installations. She also continues to work on pieces close to her heart at her home in Musqueam. It is Debra’s hope to educate others about the beauty and integrity of her people’s history through her art. Debra is a highly accomplished weaver, and for over 30 years has played a pivotal role in the ongoing revival of Musqueam weaving.