Reconciliation Totem Pole
Shane was invited by Haida master carver and Chief James Hart to join his team of carvers to create the 17-metre tall Reconciliation Totem Pole that now sits on the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver, BC. The Reconciliation Totem Pole, carved into an 800 year old cedar tree, was created in tribute to the victims and survivors of the Canadian residential school system. Faces of children were carved into the pole with spirit figures protecting them, representing the many children that were lost to residential schools across the country. Shane carved the child center to the pole.
Photo credit: Noah Altvador
Indigo Arts Alliance
Indigo Arts Alliance, a non-profit and artist residency located in Portland, Maine, commissioned Shane to create a permanent sculpture on the grounds of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens for his artist residency in July, 2024. The sculpture, entitled Eci-Mahsosiyil or Fiddleheads, was unveiled at Deconstructing the Boundaries: The Land Fights Back symposium located in Bar Harbour, Maine. Shane chose to design a statue shaped as a fiddlehead as they are the first food the Wolastoqiyik gathers every spring, and has been part of their way of life since time immemorial. Shane’s connection to the land remains an integral part of his creative process that inspires his one-of-a-kind sculptures.
Photo credit: Michael Patten
Biennale d’art contemporain autochtone, 7th edition
The bi-annual exhibition entitled “Biennale d’art contemporain autochtone (BACA),” hosted by the Art Mur gallery in Montreal, is a group exhibition that promotes the work of Indigenous artists. In 2024, the 7th edition of the exhibition had an overarching theme of creation stories, representing a circle encompassing various narratives and ways of understanding the universe. BACA showcased over 60 artists from across Canada, with Shane creating multiple pieces for display. One of the highlights of Shane’s creations for the exhibition was a silver basket entitled Thank You for Life or Wolasweltomohtine created using traditional basket-weaving techniques.
Photo credit: Michael Patten
Collect Art Fair UK
Shane presented his artwork at the 2024 annual Collect Art Fair UK, the leading international fair for contemporary craft and design, that was held at the Somerset House in London, England and hosted by the Crafts Council. The piece Shane created for this exhibition, entitled The Crown, is woven with copper and silver. It was made as a reminder of the wampum belts and treaties that the crown has signed with Indigenous nations.
Reweaving the Basket
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery located in Fredericton, NB, featured a solo exhibition of Shane’s artwork from June 1, 2023 to January 3, 2024 entitled "Reweaving the Basket." This exhibition showcased Shane’s modern twist on traditional basket-weaving techniques. Shane incorporates a variety of mediums into his basket-weaving, specifically precious metals such as silver, copper, bronze, and gold. The traditional material black ash plints (strips) were also used, demonstrating the intricacy of Shane’s artistic skill and his impressive ability to merge traditional and modern materials while staying true to his connection to the land and his community’s traditional practices.
Keskahahticik, or Lost Ones
The exhibit entitled "Keskahahticik" or "Lost Ones" was unveiled at the Fredericton Convention Centre in June, 2023. Indigenous Women of the Wabanaki Territories (IWWT), in collaboration with the City of Fredericton and Women and Gender Equality Canada, commissioned Shane and fellow artist Justin Sappier to create a statue honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirited+ peoples. The exhibit, and Shane’s creation, communicates the pain of losing a loved one and the tragedies of Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited+ peoples, who are at higher risk of gender-based violence. The artwork considers life and death, grief and healing, and togetherness amongst feelings of isolation. 
Santa Fe Indian Market
Shane attended the annual Santa Fe Indian Market in 2019, a significant event that showcases Indigenous artwork from all over North America and features competitions for various artistic categories. Shane submitted two pieces for the sculpture category and was awarded first place for his silver and copper basket. The winning sculpture was created using a balance of copper and silver throughout the weaving of the basket, and had a simple form. The details of this piece can be found on the basket lid, as Shane used a twisted wire technique to create the handle and a piercing technique to create the rim.
Residential School Apology Pin
On July 8th, 2011, then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a formal apology, on behalf of the Government of Canada, for their role in the Canadian residential school system that removed and isolated children from the influence of their homes, families, traditions, and cultures. Shane was commissioned by the Assembly of First Nations to create a pin to honour the residential school survivors that were in attendance for this formal apology. Designing and creating the 500 pins was a proud moment in Shane’s career, as they were also sent out to survivors living across Canada.
Where You Can Find Shane Perley-Dutcher:
La Muse, Montreal, QC
The Neqotkuk Art Studio, Tobique First Nation, NB
Gallery on Queen, Fredericton, NB
Abbe Museum, Bar Harbour, ME
Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, ME
Commissions:
If you are interested in commissioning artwork from Shane Perley-Dutcher, you can reach him through this website under the "Contact" tab.
