Stone is one of the best ways for artists to communicate with future generations, not just because of it’s durability, but also because it can actually be touched and welcome a different sense from sight into its appreciation.

Barney McLeod is an Ojibway Stonecarver, living in Wilson Creek on the Sunshine Coast. The Ojibway people originate in the Ontario area, and it was in Northern Ontario (Matachewan) where Barney was born and raised. Initially learning to work in wood from his grandfather, he used the knowledge to later work as an antique furniture restorer of 17th and 18th century pieces, in Toronto. His grandfather was a major influence in many things, including patience. Barney remembers the medicine man spotting a fish jumping in the river, and although bent with age he managed to get his boat into the river where he sat for hours, finally catching the fish.

Always keeping in touch with elders, using them for advice and guidance, Barney has tried hard not to lose sight of his heritage. While working in Toronto it was by the guiding hand of an elder that Barney first entered his own artwork into an event, the Earth Spirit Festival, an annual event which highlights Native, Inuit and Japanese visual and performing artists. This helped bolster his faith in his own artwork and belief that it could actually provide a living.

Moving to Vancouver, Barney worked on his carvings at English Bay. There his bear carvings became a trademark as he feels a connection with them, and wants to educate people about the dwindling bear population. Many people who believed bear paws or parts cured impotency received heckling on the Vancouver beaches, although now the heckling has developed into structured tales for teaching about the dangers of abusing the earth’s wildlife. Barney is still very against things like Hummers, preferring the forests be populated with fish and wildlife instead.

Barney McLeod has been carving inukshuk for years, although he considers his,
“The official non-olympic inukshuk”

The Vancouver 2010 official logo is the inukshuk, an Inuit monument composed of unworked stone used for markers and communication. The word inukshuk means “in the likeness of a human”, and the meaning of their placement is to show someone was here, or that the traveler is on the right path. Being used as the logo for the Vancouver Winter Olympics confused many people as it was not seen in the lower mainland, instead being located in the northern regions of Canada. An inukshuk is shown on the Nunavut flag, although without the “legs” commonly seen in popular versions.

Inukshuk are usually made from a stone called serpentine, a fairly hard stone, although now many different materials are used, including gold and, in some more commercial items, plastic. Barney usually works in alabaster and soapstone which can have a blue-white colour when initially sanded, but with the application of oil shows a beautiful swirling of colours.

“Doing my art I get to relay my message… good or bad.”

Carving figures in Stanley Park while watching the people walk down “Therapy Row” (the seawall), Barney met a number of famous artists, including Lionel Samuels, a Haida Gwaii carver. While carving a pipe from the traditional stone Barney was approached by an elder who told him he couldn’t sell a piece like that, as it would be like selling a piece of his heritage. Realizing he was right, instead he decided to give it as a gift to a friend he had made who lived in the states. Finishing the piece with plans to travel to give it as a gift to his friend, he was surprised as the performer pulled up in a pink Cadillac at English Bay. The pipe was given and warmly accepted, and in exchange a pouch of tobacco was given to Barney. When it came time to test the product out, he found that instead of “papers” being inside, there were hundred dollar bills.

Although he made a great many friends from around the world (New Zealand, France, and Germany, which accounted for 70% of his art sales) in Vancouver, he fell into the trappings of the big city. Luckily he had developed ties with local elders and the native community, and with their support he was able to avoid falling too deep to get himself out. By moving to the Sunshine Coast Barney was hoping to regain his focus and his credibility. At first Barney and his wife Karen lived in a 10’ x 10’ tent for two years, but through persistence (and some great work by Karen who “makes the wheels go ‘round”) they moved into their own home/workshop. The area was very therapeutic, reconnecting Barney with the land.

“I wanted to get away from the mainstream society and touch the earth again.”

Having gone through much in his lifetime, Barney has gained insight and wisdom he wants to pass on, to the native community and most importantly to the children, currently teaching art at local schools to give guidance where needed.

“A lot of people are still ignorant about native peoples.
“There are a lot of native kids running around who don’t even know who they are.”

Currently Barney is working on a new line of artwork, based on pieces by Norval Morrisseau, an Ojibway equivalent of a Group of Seven artist. Barney plans to take the 2D “woodland arts” and turn them into 3D as a homage to the Order of Canada recipient, and also to give more exposure to a classic Canadian artist.

Work by Barney McLeod can be viewed at the 2nd Annual Linwood Art Experience on Sunday, July 13th 2008. The event is held at 3144 Linwood Rd, Robert Creek BC, from 12-5PM. The event was created for the benefit of Eastside Vancouver women.

Barney McLeod’s Studio/Gallery
4414 Hwy 101 @ Hazelnut Lane
Sechelt, BC
604-818-7811
barneyandkaren@dccnet.com