Ḵwa̱nis

Giclee

Edition 80

Released May 2002

Primary: SOLD OUT
A/P: Available

This design was originally done for the Courtenay & District Museum when they moved from their former home at the Native Sons Hall over to the old post office building in Courtenay. Early in the renovation, I was approached by the curator to paint a large panel evocative of a bighouse front. My strongest feeling was that the design had to include a whale which is symbolic of the Comox First Nation. The image was topped off with a large copper moon and a number of stars, referencing other origins of the Comox people.

For the Comox, the whale is deeply connected to a number of our origin stories. Most widely known is the story that takes place during the time of the great flood. After being warned that a flood was going to take place, a chief made arrangements to prepare four canoes and a great deal of cedar rope. He chose the strongest and the most attractive members of the community to go in the canoes. Although other people in the village wanted to get in, the canoes magically moved away from them.

The waters rose and covered all of the mountains. A great white whale appeared in the water and the Comox tied the rope to it. Circling around the whale kept the people in the Comox Valley and when the waters receded the whale landed on a mountain and turned into the Comox Glacier that is seen to this day. In the Comox language, whales and this glacier are known as “Ḵwa̱nis”

“Ḵwa̱nis” is a limited edition print using the giclée method of printmaking. Print production took place during May of 2002 at the artist’s own studio in Comox B.C. A total of 89 prints bear the title “Ḵw̱anis” and are signed by Andy Everson: 80 in the primary edition bearing the numbers 1/80 through 80/80; 8 Artist’s Proofs; and 1 Printer’s Proof. The acid-free 100% cotton Royal Riviera Rag paper measures 13x19 inches. Image size measures about 12x15 inches.