Leah Dorion (left) and Danielle Castle (right) walk through the pathway they built using around 200 willow branches. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Modern Métis art

Interpretive willow pathway unveiled at Field House

Jul 24, 2020 | 6:00 PM

A new temporary art installation in front of the Alfred Jenkins Field House invites the public to reflect as they move through an an arched channel constructed from 200 willow branches.

Artist Danielle Castle told paNOW she hopes interacting with the interpretive pathway is a grounding experience for visitors.

“Especially right now when things are so chaotic,” she said. “It gives someone the opportunity to start out here, and hopefully when they get to the end they feel refreshed, recharged, grounded and rooted.”

The willow pathway completed on Friday is the third in a series of what will be five public art pieces by Castle and mentor Leah Dorion.

Like all the pieces in the Intergenerational Métis Artist Mentorship Program, the willow pathway aims to share Métis culture and positive messages.

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Artist Leah Dorion encourages visitors to examine the weave of the pathway and smell the willow as they walk through. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

The channel’s S-curve shape and three arches are an abstract interpretation of the Métis infinity symbol, while the willow plant itself also has a multitude of uses in the Métis culture, Leah Dorion explained.

“For me, as an artist, to take a Métis traditional keystone species and bring it into a modern art form is delightful,” Dorion, who has worked with willow on several past projects, said

The 200 branches used to build the pathway were gathered from nearby plants with city permission. An Elder prayed and offered tobacco before harvesting. Castle explained the willow bush was so thick they barely put a dent in it.

Once supple and weavable, the flexible willow branches will stiffen as they dry out, reinforcing the pathway.

When the pathway is taken down (the date for which hasn’t been set yet) the branches will be given to Elders for use in ceremony. In that way, Dorion explained, the plant will contribute to the spiritual care of the community.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom