Victoria International's art program currently consists of a permanent collection and on occassion special exhibits. In December 2006, the Victoria Airport Authority launched the rotating art component of the program.

1.  Robert Wise - "Roulette"
2.  Linda Stanbridge - "Genesis"
3.  Thomas Mercer & Edward Schaefer - "Airplay"
4.  Illarion Gallant ' "Bouquet of Memories"
5.  Charles W. Elliott - First Nations Art

ROBERT WISE
Title: Roulette (2005)
Location: Arrivals Rotunda

This tensegrity structure has 20 faces,30 struts made of light gathering acrylic tubes and 90 stainless steel turnbuckles connected to aircraft cable radiating from the aluminum core. The shape is truly intriguing when the viewer realizes that none of the acrylic tubes are touching. The structure is attached to a graphite pole that is connected to a wind vane on the roof to create its movement.

The artist wanted the piece to represent a system in dynamic equilibrium. A large simple object that moves in a seemingly random weightless way - to be caught in the peripheral vision of people waiting below. The awareness of the huge object gently moving at the edge of someone's vision might cause a lapse for a second or two, a pause for reflection - Robert Wise thinks that that's what art should do.

Over the past decade Robert Wise has established himself as a unique figure with West Coast sculpture through the production of mechanically sophisticated machines.

LINDA STANBRIDGE
Title: Genesis (2002)
Location: Lower Passenger Departure Lounge

Photograph courtesy of Daryl Quenet

The impetus behind the idea for the artwork "Genesis" is the celebration of the harmonic structure found in nature. Linda Stanbridge has chosen the seashell to represent the harmonic proportions reflected in growth patterns evident in the world of plant and human life. The spiral form of the shell is mirrored in the shape of galaxies, the swirling patterns of weather, and even in the structure of the universe itself. The geometry of the shell as well as being universal is also very particular to our geographic location, our island on the West Coast and the area surrounding Victoria.

Linda Stanbridge was born in Glasgow Scotland and presently lives and works in Victoria, British Columbia. She exhibits her work both nationally and internationally and is represented in numerous public and private collections in Canada the U.S. and Europe. Her art practice has grown out of an interest in geometric structures and the dynamics of optics as experienced by the viewer.

THOMAS MERCER & EDWARD SCHAEFER
Title: Airplay (2006)
Location: Interior Departures Area

Photograph courtesy of Daryl Quenet

A series of hand-blown stained glass panels along the length of the interior glass wall of the departures check-in area.

Thomas Mercer and Edward Schaefer are becoming increasingly internationally renowned for their exquisite stained glass artwork. Other works include 36 windows in the BC Government House Ballroom and a gift to the Queen of the Queen's Golden Jubilee stained glass window in the Legislature which was unveiled during the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's visit to Victoria, BC in 2002.

ILLARION GALLANT
Title: Bouquet of Memories (2006)
Location: Exterior Departures Area

Photograph courtesy of Alice Magnolia

Brightly coloured aluminum and steel scuplture situated across the frontal road from the departures area. The sculpture really is a bouquet of memories as Gallant invited all students and staff of his neighbourhood school to write a paragraph of their favourite memory. The collection of memories is sealed in a capsule inside the seedpod of one of the colourful poppies in the sculpture.

Illarion Gallant's art projects abroad include works in Austria and Germany. Here his works are many and include the aluminum tree scuplture at the Fort Street Medical Building, the Granite Avacados at the Grand Pacific Hotel, and in Toronto, a tribute to Tom Thomson's canoe in aluminum complete with 76 - 6' aluminum reeds.

Charles W. Elliott - Coast Salish Master Carver
Title:  Returning Salmon (2009)
Location:  Domestic Baggage Claim

The Salmon returning from far and distant journeys flashing in the shimmering waters of the flowing rivers, like highways in the sky.  The Salmon navigate their way home same as the returning travelers from trips abroad to begin once again the cycle of survival and success.

Charles W. Elliott - Coast Salish Master Carver
Title:  Eagle View (2009)
Location: Eagles Landing Observation Lounge - 3^rd Floor Air Terminal Building 

The Eagle was chosen for the Eagles Landing Observation Lounge and Historical Exhibit because of the great respect mankind holds for the Eagle.  They have a spirit of strength, wisdom and power, as well as being a symbol of good luck, brotherhood and protection.  The great powers of the Eagle is there to welcome all who enter the lofty perch of Eagles Landing.

Charles W. Elliott - Coast Salish Master Carver
Title:  Sul Sul Tan Spindle Whorl #1 - New Beginnings (2009)
Location: Eagles Landing Observation Lounge - 3^rd Floor Air Terminal Building
 


Titled " New Beginnings" because the image has a split frog design on either side of the central person singing.  The frogs as guardian spirits herald in new beginnings such the beginning of the New Year.  The frogs emerge and sing as the pulses of the earth awake and alert all creatures including mankind to a new beginning, a time to put away our winter traditions and prepare for a new cycle of good gathering and reproduction.

Charles W. Elliott - Coast Salish Master Carver
Title:  Sul Sul Tan Spindle Whorl #2 - Message (2009)
Location: Eagles Landing Observation Lounge - 3^rd Floor Air Terminal Building

 

The messenger being the Raven is a highly intelligent creature respected by all First Nations people.  The Messenger the Raven first to appear to the Saanich survivors of the Great Flood, brought the message of hope that floodwaters are beginning to recede and life would return to normal.  The Raven the Messenger, designated also the Trickster because of his or her abilities to behave playfully tricking other life forms to exercising his control of certain situations.  Lastly the third designation being the Transformer, having the powers to appear or disappear as other life forms at certain times.

Charles W. Elliott is an internationally recognized Master Carver and fine artist in the Coast Salish tradition.  His art works are in private and corporate collections worldwide.  Charles is a member of the T'sartlip First Nation and was born on the T'sartlip Reserve in Brentwood Bay, BC.  He continues to live there today on the shores of the Saanich Inlet with his wife Myrna and their children.

As a young artist, Charles carved designs on the bark of the cottonwood tree and styled his own small totem poles and model canoes with coaching by his father, uncles and encouragement from his mother.

Art and woodcarving have been a focus for Charles for the past four decades.  He has been inspired by his passion for the Salish art tradition.  Charles' works testify to his dedication to classic Coast Salish design.  He recreates traditional utilitarian and ceremonial objects as well as creates contemporary works within the Coast Salish discipline.

"I am a self taught artist who has taken a long, slow road to gain my knowledge and skills as a wood sculptor and graphic artist in the Coast Salish tradition.  I have dedicated my life to the revival of Coast Salish art form which was once in danger of disappearing.  I continue to tutor young artists in the Coast Salish artistic traditions and have often taught about the history of Salish art in school programs of all levels."