Vancouver Island artist, Andy Everson has won the 2024 Polygon Award in First Nations Art from the BC Achievement Foundation.
His art is known for combining traditional ancestral style with pop culture and vibrant colours to reach new audiences and foster cultural understanding.
A member of the K’ómoks First Nation, Everson is a known Star Wars fan and has done several pieces that revolve around that theme, including his Imperial Military soldiers helmets.
He also takes inspiration from ancestral dance and song, stories and legends of both traditional heritage and blends them with his love of pop culture.
Everson started his artistic career over 26 years ago by creating chilkat-style blankets for traditional dances. He got started in art at a young age, repainting Mungo Martin’s totem poles and being introduced to formline design.
Everson is an influential figure in Northwest Coast art, including designing coins for the Royal Canadian Mint. He explores fashion through Totem Design House, combining tradition and modernity with impact.
He often lends his voice to social movements such as Idle No More and Every Child Matters. Everson is also connected to his culture through participating in traditional potlatch ceremonies as a hereditary chief, singer and dancer.
The Polygon Award in First Nations Art is awarded to those who show outstanding contributions to traditional, contemporary, and media-based First Nations Art, celebrating those who demonstrate artistic excellence.
The award ceremony took place in Vancouver on Nov. 19 at The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre in Vancouver. Each honoured artist was celebrated with a short film that highlights their achievements.
