Northern B.C. native artist Robert Sebastian recently returned from an 18-day trip to China, which, he says, has inspired him to investigate further using international scenes in his art.
A northwest coast traditional aboriginal painter, Sebastian, from the Gitxsan First Nation, said he is interested in using pandas and other animals, as well as the people of China, in his art.
While it is highly unusual for Aboriginal artists to cross international boundaries with the subjects of their art, Sebastian has done it before, painting a kangaroo in the traditional northwest coast Aboriginal form after a trip to Australia.
Sebastian views the crossing of boundaries of Aboriginal art as a growing, global trend. But he stresses that you have to have knowledge of your own traditional art before you can explore.
"The new path can't be taken, unless you take the old path first," said Sebastian, who calls Hazelton, west of Prince George, home.
"We are all people of this planet, and we should work together to make the future brighter for all peoples," he said.
Sebastian, who said he has Chinese ancestry in his family on his father's side, travelled to China with the Ksan Performing Arts Group led by Shirley Muldoe.
The cultural exchange was part of the third International Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival, co-sponsored by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Chinese government.
They toured Beijing, the festival host city of Chengdu and Lijiang. The tour included a trip to Lugu Lake.
During the trip, Sebastian had an opportunity to meet with people of the Mosuo tribe, a matriarchal society. The Gitxsan have a matrilineal society, where the children follow their mothers and grandmothers in their clan system.
Sebastian's latest show was at the Treasure Cove Casino. He also recently donated a print to the City of Prince George.
