Les EElkema

“I’m inspired by the beauty, creativity, and functionality of First Nation Ceremonial Paddles. They tell stories, mark events, and yes, can be used as a canoe paddle. In 2018, I began using paddles I found on the beach as my canvas. For years, I’d enjoyed shaping metal, and studying the effects of heat, chemicals, and corrosion. The paddles soon became a unique way to display the resulting beauty (and surprises) of these efforts. I’ve learned that working with metal is just that- working “with” the metal. Each piece of metal has its own personality- some are pliable, some react beautifully to heat, others react to chemical etches. In many cases, control of the end result is a working partnership between the artist and the material. Like any painting or sculpture, each of my Celebration Paddles has a story behind it. I call them Celebration Paddles because the first paddles were often used to celebrate weddings, milestone birthdays, retirements, and the like. I hope their beauty and uniqueness can inspire you to celebrate something wonderful in your life. And finally, yes, a metal-clad paddle will float... usually!”

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