Muwux̲ Gi'ni (Four Salmon Eggs) by Cheryl Wadhams
Giclée Print
33" x 13"
2021
Edition of 250
"A journey that started with a promise made to my late A̲nis (aunty) Emma, to learn Kwak'wala, the traditional language of my people, the Kwakwa̲ka̲'wakw. My language journey started late in life. In 2016, I enrolled in the UBC Endangered Language program. I have progressed slowly to learn beyond my first words, Yo, 'wiksas, and daga̲nd dlu t'sigwa̲nu ('Hi', 'How are you?' and 'Socks & eggs'). In 2017, the other part of this journey included producing many original works that had me "going back to the basics", exploring and studying traditional formline design concentrating on the 'ovoid'. I am blessed and happy to announce this is my first print produced. It has been an exciting process that will help me expand my knowledge, abilities and scope of the art of my people. Gilakas'la to my language teachers who have supported my learning along the way: Emma, Patricia, Rita, Hemasaelouth, Bruce and my tlawa̲na̲m, Joe. This piece expresses that journey."
-'Ka'kaSolas, Cheryl Wadhams