Camossung by Fred Dobbs
Description
| Artwork Description | The sculpture of Camossung by Fred Dobbs reflects the history of the First Nations People who first inhabited the area of the Gorge Waterway and tells an ancient Songhees story of a young girl named Camossung who was turned to stone by 'Hayls' the Transformer. Camossung is a story of spirit powers in assoiciation with protection of the local food resources of the Songhees people. The sculpture symboizes the significnace of this location; a unique place where fresh and salt water merge with each ebb and flow of the Gorge Waterway. The original sacred stone that is the source of the Songhees story is located near by, below the southern side of the Tillicum Bridge. The stone is in the waterway and viewable beneath the water at low tide. Fred and the Songhees people participated in cooperation to tell this story. |
| Artwork Statement | "In connecting the story of Camossung to the theme, 'Knowledge of Place' I was immediately inspired. I felt as if I could release an ancient story from the depth as a sculpture. Bringing to the surface a message from the past about how significant this area was to the people who lived here, and how similar the message is today in nurturing and caring for our environment." Fred Dobbs |
About Fred Dobbs
| Artist Bio | Fred attended Victoria College of Art - Fine Arts and Camosun College - Commercial Art studies and later turned his attention to sculpture by way of the beach. For eight years, Fred practiced as a competitive sand sculptor, winning Canadian, US and World Championship titles. Fred continues to work in sand sculpture and also works extensively with concrete and bonze to create his sculptures. His work can be found in Sooke, Langford, Surrey and Saanich. |
Details
| Artwork Type | Sculpture |
| Medium | concrete |
| Unveiled date | May, 2009 |
| Dimensions | 2m hight x 1m wide x 1m deep |
| Reference # | ACC 2011-156 |
| Site | Gorge Waterway Park along Gorge Road West close to the Tillicum Bridge |
| Art Category | Civic Public Art |
| Selection Process | Civic: Acquisition by Council |
| Municipality/Neighbourhood | Saanich: Tillicum |