Stepping Into the Circle: Aaron Nelson-Moody / Tawx’sin Yexwulla

Join us for a public reception celebrating the opening of the West Vancouver Art Museum’s new exhibition, Stepping Into the Circle/Tawx'sin Yexwulla, co-curated by Alison Powell. 

Aaron Nelson-Moody’s 30 year-long career encompasses carving, graphic design, and metalwork. As both an artist and educator, community has been fundamental to his artistic approach. This exhibition highlights his activism and advocacy work, as well as the collaborative nature of his working style. While artists of all cultures invite onlookers to ponder the existence of life on Earth, Nelson-Moody’s work is often conceived with a strong intention to create opportunities for profound connection and shared learning. In doing so, Nelson-Moody’s artistic approach actively seeks to enact tangible positive change. Using art in the broadest sense of the word—art as cultural encounter; art as protest; art as process; art as teacher—through his carving, metalsmithing, design, and educational work, Nelson-Moody invites others in reflection and conversation.

About the Artist

Aaron Nelson-Moody is a Squamish carver and jeweler working in the Coast Salish tradition. His ancestral Sḵwx̱wú7mesh name is, Tawx'sin Yexwulla, which translates to "Splashing Eagle," though most know him as "Splash." He also carries the name, Poolxtun, from his adopted father Gerry Oleman, which translates as: “the spreading ripples from a splash of water.” Moody has been woodcarving since 1996, with the mentorship of celebrated North Shore artist, Xwalacktun. He also studied jewelry engraving at the Native Education College in Vancouver and gained a mastery of metal repoussé techniques with Valentin Yotkov. Moody’s works include the red cedar entrance doors to the BC/Canada pavilion at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, several large works for Olympic venues for the 2010 Olympics, house boards for the Squamish/Lil’wat Cultural Centre, as well as metal engraved, smithed, and repoussé pieces that are found in collections throughout Vancouver's Lower Mainland. 

Moody has worked as an educator throughout the Squamish and Vancouver areas since 1995. For 10 years, Moody was involved with the Utsám’ Witness Project arts and environment program. He also leads Langara College’s Aboriginal carving cohort program and is currently teaching metal working at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. He has been on two Tribal Journeys on the Squamish Nation’s 50-foot carved cedar canoe and one on Xwalacktun’s family canoe, the Pekultun.

Generously supported by Jennifer and John Webb.

FREE, DROP-IN