Yukon Directory Art a fresh take on a familiar story
When Kayla Smith-Clarke sat down to create a piece for the Northwestel Directory Art contest, she wanted to tell a good story, work digitally, and incorporate Yukon First Nation history. 13 hours later, they arose with the Yukon contest winner: The Crow and The Native Spirit.
The Crow and The Native Spirit
Many Yukoners have heard the traditional Tlingit tale How the Raven Stole the Sun at least once, if not a handful of times. A writer since early grade school, Kayla found inspiration in the classic tale - and an opportunity to create a new story. Weaving in bold colours and unifying symbols, The Crow and The Native Spirit brings the crow to life and tells a new story alongside the old.
“It was really fun reimagining such a classic story. I grew up listening to it, and knew I wanted to do something inspired by what I’ve learned of Yukon First Nation’s history ... Whenever I do big art pieces like this, I like to incorporate a story - just because it’s part of who I am.”
While the original story speaks of the origin of light, The Crow and The Native Spirit is a story of one-ness and community.
"The Sun has been replaced with a half moon, half sun to represent the two halves of an Indigenous whole. The sun represents masculine energies, and the moon represents femininity, merged together to create the beautiful blend in spirits and harmony that living in a community has."
As a former art student from Dawson City, Kayla's most familiar with mediums like watercolours and graphite. Making The Crow and The Native Spirit a digital piece was in part to practice the new tool to their arsenal.
"I'm new to digital - and it's harder. I'm used to watercolour and other traditional mediums. With The Crow and The Native spirit, I did most of the work in one sitting - It hurt my hands after a while. But I like working in digital, and I want to get better at it."
Kayla signing litographs of The Crow and The Native Spirit
To inspire is to breath. To be inspired is to breath in what is around you.
For the other 2022 directory art winners, their inspirations also came from that around them. For Kataisee Attagutsiak, the 2022 Nunavut directory art winner, inspiration came from her mother's traditional Inuit clothing. The Northwest Territory winner, Maggie Davies, found it in the stark cliffs of Etthen Island and the land around Yellowknife.
For Kayla, inspiration this time was How the Raven Stole the Sun – but it can and does come from anywhere.
"I could be walking outside and the clouds look really weird that day - that'll inspire me. I could be watching a movie and a specific scene might inspire me. The moment something snags my attention, I go straight at it, pummel until I get all I can get from it - and create something."
As the winner of the directory art contest with The Crow and The Native Spirit, Kayla receives a $5000 prize from Northwestel. You can find more of Kayla's work on their Instagram: http://instagram.com/owlkid.exe
Kayla, the 2022 Yukon & Northern British Columbia directory art winner with her mom, Nita Clarke
For over 30 years, Northwestel has published rich northern art on the covers of our directories. The land we live in inspires all of us in different ways. From new interpretations of Indigenous tales to realistic recreations of arctic landscapes, we admire and celebrate the creativity of those who make up our North.
Meet our 2022 directory art winners :
Thinking about submitting your artwork for next year’s directory art competition? Visit our Directory art page and keep an eye out for the 2023 contest, opening in September.
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