North Okanagan artist weaves together wolf sculpture from hundreds of pieces of hand-cut metal

An Armstrong artist has weaved hundred of pieces of hand-cut steel fur in the shapes of wolves to create Thompson Rivers University’s latest public art installation celebrating the institution’s 50th anniversary.

Called Mélemstye, in Secwépemc oral history, the wolf—’Mélemstye’ teaches people to hunt and the important qualities a hunter needs to be successful, according to the university’s website.

"The same qualities that make a successful hunter—patience, vigilance, alertness, teamwork and an understanding of the environment, among others—are also important for a successful student. Like the hunter, the student must devise a strategy to reach their end goal," according to the university.

Artist Braden Kiefiuk used round rod armatures to sculpt the shapes and then finished them with hand-cut and formed pieces of steel that are left unpainted and exposed to the elements.

All the hammer marks and welds remain visible in Kiefiuk’s work. He says the TRU wolves use a special Corten steel made to show a full rust patina while never corroding, according to TRU.

“I tried to capture movement and the beautiful yet ominous look of the wolf,” Kiefiuk said.

The sculptures can be seen on University Drive, overlooking the city.

TRU vice-president university relations Brian Daly sees the addition as part of an ongoing effort to include public works of art across campus by local artists that teach us about local culture and history.

“The university is a centre for learning, but it’s also a place where culture and ideas are fostered, so public art is a natural extension of that. Works such as these wolves not only create a sense of place on campus, but they give us a sense of the place and people who live around us,” Daly said, on the TRU website.

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