River's Edge - Winlaw, British Columbia - Relief Art Sculptures on Waymarking.com

River's Edge was featured in the 2012 Castlegar Sculpture Walk when we first saw this amazing sculpture. We were disappointed that it would be replaced with a new addition in 2013.

As we were headed for New Denver, K was looking for a benchmark and we stopped to park in the cafe's parking lot when I saw it. I was so surprised and pleased to see it again. I went into the cafe to inquire and was told that it was delivered just that morning and a crew was expected to arrive on Monday for its permanent placement.

River’s Edge is a concrete relief by Winlaw-based sculptor David Ducharme. "A conversation with Sinix’t Nation headman Bob Campbell provided the impetus for this dramatic, appealing relief.

The Kootenay's historical backdrop was primarily European settlements, mining, and the influences of the Doukhobours.

Speaking (Ducharme) with Bob and others, I learned more about other societies here long before us, the Lakes people. I was inspired to try to capture an aspect of their way of life in ‘River’s Edge’.”

River’s Edge features the sturgeon-influenced design of the sharply-nosed canoes the Sinix’t and Ktunaxa people used as they travelled the lakes of the area, living nomadic, fruitful lives dictated by nature and the seasons.

Ducharme’s work features a canoeist battling his way through rapids, upright, attentive and muscled as he fights the current in his bucking, pitching craft, using only a single pole to navigate with. Trees line the bank in the background, the foreground is all swirling, foaming waves. Framing the canoe edge is a stylized sturgeon tail that binds the piece together figuratively and historically.

River’s Edge is full of action, gracefully depicting the inherent dangers of everyday life long before the European influx. It’s a way of life that has regrettably vanished. “In my figurative work, I strive to immerse myself in the characters I am sculpting, exposing the essence, simplicity or intensity of a moment, bringing them to life…"

Excerps from artist's profile, link is provided below.

Your impression of the sculpture?: Date Sculpture was opened for vewing?: 06/01/2011 Website for sculpture?: [Web Link] Where is this sculpture?: 5622 Highway 6 Winlaw, British Columbia Canada V0G 2J0 Sculptors Name: David Ducharme

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