(1888PressRelease)
February 13, 2008 - ESQUIMALT, BC February 3, 2008—Indian Country Today features Canadian First Nations artist Darlene Gait and her distinctively beautiful artwork in a recent article: Esquimalt artist Darlene Gait's paintings honor, promote healing (http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096416477 )
In the influential publication—an important voice on American Indians—writer Richard Walker observes that “connection” is a golden thread woven through Gait’s paintings: the connectedness of people and other living things.
“She incorporates Coast Salish elements,” says Walker, “to illustrate the interdependence of her culture and the environment.” Walker sees Gait's work as “uniquely personal, inspired by her connection to the environment and wildlife as well as her beliefs in the oneness of humanity and the beauty of its diversity.”
The article reveals something of who Darlene Gait is, as a First Nations artist and as a Baha’i. He shares a few of the intensely personal stories behind her work that give us a glimpse of her spiritual beliefs in healing and spiritual fulfillment and the reasons for her growing reputation that draws people to her gallery on Vancouver Island.
In April 2007, Darlene Gait opened One Moon Gallery, in Victoria, BC, to showcase her paintings and giclée prints. The gallery is located on the Esquimalt Reserve, at 1192 Kosapsum Crecent, off Admirals Road. Her work can be viewed at www.darlenegait.com .
Darlene feels bound by the responsibility to depict all her images with scientific and historical accuracy, as she considers her art and stories to be part of the oral history of her culture. She is self taught and has studied commercial illustration, design and multimedia design.
Darlene Gait has received many awards including The Book Illustrator of the Year Award, Verse and Vision Peoples Choice Award, and The Aboriginal Achievement Foundation Award. Her exhibitions have received wide press and television coverage. She is an active member of the Art for Development Foundation as well as Partners for Prosperity and supports many non-profit organizations through volunteering and through her donations of art prints. Darlene Gait lives on Vancouver Island with her family.
For more information contact:
darlene ( @ ) darlenegait dot com
One Moon Gallery
1192 Kosapsum Cres.
Victoria, B.C. Canada V9A7K7
Phone: 1.250.294.6388
