HE SITS in the heat beside a Red Cedar log fielding an endless stream of questions from inquisitive tourists. In many cases they have crossed continents to marvel at the colorful native artifacts surrounding him on the grounds leading up to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. *“A lot of designs to- day are related to legends but are now more modernized, Peo- ple are using brighter colors, there is more sanding.”’ Native carver Stan Joseph SEE The 42-foot, 500-year-old tree segment lying before Stan Joseph, who is also knuwn as Sequilem (travelling spirit), has been neatly split in two. The raw "umber, cull- ed from the watershed woods near Cleveland Dam, will see profound metamorphosis under Joseph's skilled hands. During the period leading to the 100th anniversary of the Capilano Suspension Bridge in June, 1989, one half of the log will become a totem pole. The other half will become a Salish welcome man, perhaps the first of its kind to be carved in the area for the past century. The wel- come man once stood at the cn- trance to a village, with arms outstretched, beckoning potlatch and smokchouse guests. The pole will be a memorial to Joseph’s grand uncle, Squamish nation Chief Joe Mathias. It will also commemorate the 100th an- niversary of the Suspension Bridge, which Squamish nation member August Jack Khatsalano helped to build. ICHAEL BECKER Reporte Joseph, 38, carving in wood since age 12, lists as his influences his carver father, Chief Mathias and Tony Hunt. “It’s a skill you learn by doing, but I used to watch my grand uncle carve poles when | was young. When I was in my middle 20s, 1 took courses from Tony Hunt.” Joseph's creative process in- volves three basic stages: a sketch of the design; a small-scale con- struction; the full-size work. The artist’s tools represent a mix of old-style carving implements and modern labor-saving adapta- tions. Where his ancestors might have carved strictly with bone or steel adzes and curved knives, Joseph uses tempered-steel adzes, curved knives and a Swiss chisel, a concave carving tool used by carvers around the world, A chainsaw, used to initially shape the pole, completes the modern- day carver’s tools of trade. New tools translate to refined native artwork styles, but Joseph still appreciates the rough-hewn pieces produced by earlier artists. “*A lot of designs today are related to legends but are now more mod- ernized. People are using brighter colors. There is more sanding. We stick to our own legends and fami- ly crests, but we get ideas from each other. Now that we have the quality, we are more open to going further ahead with our designs, but we still keep it traditional." In addition to the anniversary carving project, Joseph has been working at the Capilano Suspen- sion Bridge park restoring the large collection of native and non-native wood carvings on public display. On a smaller scale, the Squamish carver works in ivory and silver. THE ICE WIZARD by collection The great little ice cream machine that needs no ice or salt. Available in manual and electric models. hom? D) Q” ICE CREAM MAKING DEMONSTRATIONS FREE SAMPLES Thursday, Friday & Saturday July 28, 29 & 30 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tools and Techniques the store for cooks 250-16th Street * West Vancouver ¢ 925-1835 y Je Suis Aa Esprit Our entire stock of Kiddo ff Shore Bugatchi Magic Kat Jo-Jce Dalesport 61 - Wednesday, July 27, 1988 - North Shore News Sim ee Missing the pleasure? PAGE 62 Ef ‘is 3 Dae <5 1K: ? oes SENS a 5 ps 3s ee ee OTEM POLE ARTIST CONTINUES AGE-OLD TRADITION s NEWS ph CARVER Stan Joseph makes his mark ona cedar log as seven Capilano Suspension Bridge staff members bless what wilt soon become a centennial totem pole commemorating the 100th anniversary of the popular tourist destination. The seven people blessing the pole symbolize the seven days it took to create the earth. The cedar is the tree of life.