Artists’ Acknowledgment
Art Tells a Story
Art is a powerful tool to help us learn about the society and cultures around us and reflect on our own understandings of the world.
Across B.C., creators are using their art to celebrate their traditions and uplift their community. To highlight their visual stories, we asked artists to share their work to support the Anti-Racism Data Act. We’re grateful to each of them for their contributions.
Meet the artists
Adam Lewis
Adam Lewis is a Kwakwaka’wakw artist from Cape Mudge Village, B.C. Adam has been a lifelong artist with roots in acrylic canvas paintings and aerosol murals. Adam’s Northwest Coast formline work is a deep passion, allowing him to connect with his ancestors and the Laichkwiltach people.
Same Same
“Same Same” represents the shared humanity of all people. It highlights the beauty of individual differences and celebrates how diverse cultures and ways of life enrich our world.
To view more of Adam’s work, visit adamlewisart.com
Anita Cheung
Anita Cheung (Neets) is an artist, illustrator and designer. As a child of refugees, she is grateful to work and live on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as Vancouver, B.C.
Anita is always looking for wonderment in the world around her. As a result, her work is warm, playful and created for the young at heart. She uses traditional materials and cut paper to create textured artwork based on everyday moments.
Magnolia Daydream
Magnolias are a plant that sets seed and develops next year’s buds at the same time. The poetry of this is that one can let go with the hope of trusting in what is to come. With this wisdom from the natural world in mind, Magnolia Daydream acts as a gentle reminder of the beauty in release.
To view more of Anita’s work, visit neets.art
Anthony Joseph
Born with a steady crayon craving, Anthony Joseph grew up in Montréal, Quebec where he developed an early passion for creating vivid visuals, fueled by Saturday morning cartoons and the fresco paintings at church on Sunday morning. It wasn’t long before Anthony’s love for the arts led him to relocate to Vancouver, B.C. where he studied art and animation at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Anthony continues to reside in Vancouver, where he works on various fine art, clothing and animation projects.
The Crump Twins
The Crump Twins section of the Hope Through Ashes: A Requiem for Hogan’s Alley mural. Bursting through the smoke with rhythm are Ronnie and Robert Crump, famously known as the Crump Twins. From an early age they became two of the most recognizable performers in Vancouver, playing the local and national music scene with an act that included singing, tap dancing and comedy.
To view more of Anthony’s work, visit adoworks.net
Daphne Odjig
Daphne Odjig is a Canadian artist of Aboriginal ancestry, who passed away in Kelowna, B.C. at age 97. Some of Daphne’s achievements include being the first woman artist to show at the National Gallery of Canada (2009), a recipient of the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia, the recipient of Seven Honorary Degrees and a national Aboriginal Achievement Award. Daphne herself stated that “If my work as an artist has somehow helped to open doors between our people and the non-native community, then I am glad.”
The Grand Entrance, 1989
“The Grand Entrance” is a depiction of the participants entering the dance area at the beginning of a powwow.
To view more of Daphne’s work, visit odjig.com
Dorcas Markwei
Dorcas Markwei is a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Vancouver, B.C. with a passion for blending creativity and functionality. With formal training in fine art, fashion design, graphic design and UX design, she brings a well-rounded perspective to her work. Her diverse background allows her to craft visually compelling and purposeful designs that resonate with audiences. Guided by a philosophy that balances aesthetics with usability, Dorcas approaches each project with empathy, ensuring that her work is not only beautiful but also meaningful and impactful.
The Many Hats
This piece is a tribute to the countless roles we embody in our daily lives—caretaker, leader, creator, friend and more. Inspired by the resilience and adaptability of those who seamlessly shift between responsibilities, The Many Hats is a visual representation of strength, versatility and the beauty of embracing every facet of oneself.
To view more of Dorcas’ work, visit lynsowcreative.com
Eileen Fong
Eileen Fong, a versatile artist with a multicultural background, was born in China, raised in Hong Kong, and later immigrated to Canada.
After completing her studies in Nuclear Medicine and later Chemistry at BCIT, Eileen embarked on a career in the field of health. However, her desire to explore new facets of life and reconnect with her roots led her to delve into Chinese brush painting. Under the guidance of several master painters, she honed her skills and found inspiration in the natural world. Eileen has showcased her work in solo exhibitions across B.C.
Serenity in Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden
This is a watercolor on rice paper that depicts the tranquility of a classical Chinese Garden. There are four major elements in the design of a classical Chinese Garden: water, rocks, plants and architecture. They are balanced to create harmony. It is a place of retreat in an atmosphere of tranquility for contemplation and inspiration. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is built by Suzhou artisans using 15th Century techniques without power tools, screws or nails.
To view more of Eileen’s work, visit eileenfong.com
Jamie Nole
Jamie Nole is a Northwest coast artist from the Tahltan Nation and Nisga’a Nation of the Ganada House – Frog crest. She currently resides in Terrace, B.C. She is a multitalented artist creating fine art with wood sculptures, paintings, graphics designs and sometimes textiles and metal. Jamie attended the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast art at Coast Mountain College. After completing three years to earn her advanced diploma, she has been running this eShop since 2016. As a busy mom of many, she still finds time to create art.
Awareness and Acceptance
Jamie was inspired to create by her three children who have been diagnosed with autism. The shapes and figures you see in the design represent how the autism brain is different from neurotypical brains. The silhouette is her 4-year-old, who loves to colour rainbows. The range of colours represents that autism is a spectrum.
To view more of Jamie’s work, visit jamienole.com
James Groening
James Groening, or Blue Sky, is a Burnaby-based Cree artist from Kahkewistahaw Band, Turtle Island. Adopted by his white grandparents during the Sixties Scoop, James was raised in a farm community in Plains Cree Territory, also known as Manitoba. After meeting his maternal mother and learning of his heritage, he discovered Coast Salish art forms, inspiring him to pursue a journey of reclaiming his Indigeneity.
As an emerging artist, James has exhibited at the Arts Council of New Westminster, Skwachàys Lodge Aboriginal Hotel and Gallery, and the Massey Arts Society.
Me and Myself
In the silence of our lives, we make many mistakes, but to be able to move forward we need to be okay with ourselves knowing that we can do better. What you are seeing is James feeling better about himself as a Sixties Scoop Indigenous man. Colour can be very powerful and sharing it can help heal the world.
To view more of James’ work, visit blueskynativeart.square.site
Mike Alexander
Mike Alexander is an emerging Anishinaabe visual artist and writer originally from Swan Lake First Nation in Treaty #1 Territory currently living and working in Vancouver, B.C. Adopted out to a non-Indigenous family shortly after birth, Mike is a Sixties Scoop survivor and a second-generation Residential School survivor who grew up in Winnipeg before moving to B.C. in 2015.
Mike has been the recipient of several grants from the Kamloops Arts Council, the First Peoples Cultural Council, the BC Arts Council as well as the Canada Council for the Arts and is currently practicing as a full time, internationally collected artist. Mike celebrates his ongoing reclamation of culture using art as a process of decolonization, healing and cultural revitalization.
Continuum
Mike’s work is an ongoing process of reunification with culture and family, a celebration of his healing journey to live in a good way. In this painting, Mike wanted to speak about the resilience that he sees in the people and the hope he feels in himself, knowing that we are truly not alone, and that reconnection is possible.
To view more of Mike’s work, visit thunderclouddesigns.org
Rozita Moini-Shirazi
Rozita Moini-Shirazi, an Iranian Canadian interdisciplinary artist, explores contemporary social-cultural issues through painting, illustration, photography and installation. Having lived in Iran until she was 21, she experienced the Iran-Iraq war and saw loved ones imprisoned or executed by the newly established Islamic government. She pledged to use art to break the wall of injustice, promoting unity, equality and love.
After immigrating to Germany in 1984 and Canada in 1990, she studied Communication Design and earned a BFA from Emily Carr University, an MFA from Tehran Azad University, and an M.Ed. from the University of Victoria. Based in Richmond, B.C., she currently teaches at Emily Carr and exhibits widely, with works in private and public collections.
Togetherness
This painting explores unity, resilience and the power of diversity. The distinct yet interconnected figures symbolize a world where differences strengthen rather than divide. Amid challenges represented by the red serpent, harmony prevails through wisdom and understanding. It reflects on belonging, coexistence and the enduring strength of community.
To view more of Rozita’s work, visit rozitamoinishirazi.com
