Artist Spotlight - John Marston in Ladysmith

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"John Marston, a young Coast Salish Carver from Ladysmith BC, first picked up a carving knife at the age of eight. His Parents David and Jane Marston, both carvers, taught him and his brother Luke the legends of the Coast Salish people. A natural progression for the brothers was to learn how to carve."

John Marston, a young Coast Salish Carver from Ladysmith BC, first picked up a carving knife at the age of eight. His Parents David and Jane Marston, both carvers, taught him and his brother Luke the legends of the Coast Salish people. A natural progression for the brothers was to learn how to carve.

John also worked with the late Cowichan Elder and Master Carver, Simon Charlie who became a mentor to him. Immersing himself in carving in his early twenties, John was invited by his brother Luke to work at the Mungo Martin Carving Shed at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria. During his first four years he volunteered his services; as a result of his work he became the resident carver. His five year stay gave him the opportunity to refine his art and work with many incredibly talented artists.
In the spring of 2006, John embarked on a Cross Cultural Exchange to Papua New Guinea. The Exchange was documented, and named “Killerwhale and Crocodile.” Not only did this exchange produce a breathtaking documentary, but it also inspired the most magnificent sculpture John ever crafted.

‘Eewe’p syuth (To Share History) is homage to the people of Papua New Guinea and the Coast Salish Nation. It now stands in the entrance of the Museum Of Anthropology in Vancouver, B.C.

In 2008, John was asked to participate in another Cultural Exchange that would this time take him to Japan.
John, along with 3 other Canadian artists, Luke Marston, Jimmy Wright and Robert Amos participated in the Ome Art Jam, in Ome City, Japan. The Four artists also took part in a collaborative show at the stunning Prince Takamado Gallery in the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo called “Bridging the Pacific”.

On June 27th, 2009 John and Luke Marston opened their first major solo show, “Honoring the Ancient Ones” at Inuit Gallery, in Gastown, Vancouver, BC. The show was a huge success and a dream came true for both John and Luke.

John’s work can also be found on display at the Vancouver International Airport and the new Vancouver Convention Center. He was recently honored as a recipient of the British Columbia Creative Achievement Award for Aboriginal Art for 2009.

The next major exhibit for John is “Hailans to Ailans” Opening this fall at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery in London and coinciding with Alcheringa Gallery in Victoria in November.

While some of John’s pieces represent personal experiences and human emotion, others are the result of John’s extensive research into old Coast Salish art. Many pieces tell the stories and teaching of his Coast Salish People.

Story written by: John Marston - QAP’U’LUQ