Visual Arts |

Niye’e ii Nigiits, Grandparents (2023/24)

Hannah L. Stewart

See it On Campus: Level 1

Visitor Info

Room C1260 located to right when you exit the elevators

Niye’e ii Nigiits, Grandparents

By Hannah Litkw Stewart in collaboration with James “Jimmy” Stewart, Simone Stewart, Cyril “Cy” Carter, and Mavor Carter

Collaborating with my Ye’eo, Gigi, Grandpa and Grandma from the beyond to continue their life and legacy.

Nit! Welcome!

Please press play to begin…

…now listen to the audio as you explore…

…and take a moment..

…to breath IN..

Grandparents

..and breath out

Niye’e ii Nigiits

“When you are born, there are two of you: your spirit and your physical self. When you die, its only your physical self that dies and your spirit lives on.” – Paraphrased quote that is often said at Nisga’a funerals

Acknowledgements

T’ooyaksiý nism! (Thank you everyone!)

First and foremost, I would like to thank my Gigi, Simone Stewart, my Ye’eo, James “Jimmy” Stewart, my Grandma, Mavor Carter and my Grandpa, Cyril “Cy” Carter who are the inspiration behind this project. I would like to thank them for their help in raising me and for teaching me many skills and lessons, including the ones needed for this project. I would also like to thank them for everything they continue to teach me even from the Beyond.

Secondly, I would like to thank the people who provided vital research and information for this project despite my secretiveness, my mom, Victoria Carter, my dad, Farley Stewart, and my uncle, Chad Stewart. Continued thanks to my mom for her emotional support and insight while I was going through the ebbs and flows of this project.

A huge thank you to Sydney, Daina, and Kajola of the Aboriginal Gathering Place for keeping me fed throughout this project and providing a safe space on campus that feels like home.

Next, I would like to thank my professors Peter Bussigel, Annie Briard, and prOphecy Sun for providing their feedback, and support, and sharing their knowledge while supervising this project during its various stages.

I would also like to thank Bobbi Kozinuk, the WIP Lab tech, and Ian Rhodes, the Metal Shop tech, for their patience, guidance, and support while I tackled the feat of learning two new mediums to complete this project.

Thank you to all my classmates who provided their feedback throughout the many critiques and iterations of this project. Thank you to all my friends for their support and much needed levity when things got intense. Thank you especially to my friend Vincent who taught me some of the basics of forging and to my friend Carmen for our discussions and her support.

T’ooyaksiý nism to everyone in the Sim’algax 101 (Nisga’a version) and Nisga’a Language Learning Facebook groups who answered my questions and shared their knowledge. Without them, I would not have the title of this artwork.

Last but not least, t’ooyaksiý niin to the person reading this and viewing my artwork. I greatly appreciate your time and energy given. No matter how great or small.

Once again,

T’ooyaksiý nism!

Wish to purchase some of my work?

These prints are for sale!

“Flaming Salmon” 2019

digital print

8 in. x 10 in.

$30

“The Red Dress” 2022/23

Relief carved linoleum block print

12 in. x 18 in. (with some variation between editions)

$250 (10% of the profit will be donated to MMIWG2S)

“Long Live the Queen!” (The Queen is Dead)

Relief carved linoleum block print

8.5 in. x 11 in. (with some variation between editions)

$100

See something you like?

Contact me here!

Please email me with:

  • your name
  • your email address
  • which print(s) you would like
  • how many prints
  • and your shipping information

Interested in seeing how my relief carved linoleum block prints are made? Check out this video!

Want to see more? Check out the rest of my videos on my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9COeEbBUOriJ02E0_KJvg

About the Artist

Hannah L. Stewart

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Hannah Stewart is a First Nations, Queer and 2-Spirit artist who was born and raised in Prince Rupert, BC. Hannah is Nisǥa’a with Tlingit ancestry through their father’s lineage and is a mix of Irish, Danish, and English through their mother. Hannah has earned their diploma at the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art where they learned how to do wood carving and Northwest Coast Formline. Recently, Hannah has completed their Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Art at Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECUAD). Since beginning their studies at ECUAD, Hannah has been exploring the balance between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous materials and knowledge. They have done this by using contemporary materials like acrylic paint, electronics, and printmaking to create various works heavily influenced by their Nisǥa’a culture. Some influences from Hannah’s culture include traditional stories, known as adaawak in their Nisǥa’a language. One such adaawak, that Hannah has been inspired by is of how Raven stole the sun, the moon and the stars and brought them to our world. Another way that Hannah’s work is influenced by their culture is by using Formline to create designs inspired by old Formline designs found in books and museums. One book they have gathered plenty of inspiration from is ‘The Transforming Image: Painted Arts of Northwest Coast First Nations” by Bill Mclennan and Karen Duffek.
When Hannah isn’t working on their art, they can be found outside kayaking, exploring the outdoors and learning about traditional plant knowledge. Hannah hopes that in the future they can continue to explore the relationships between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous materials and knowledge and create artworks reflecting that. Hannah also hopes to pursue a career as a full-time artist and kayak guide.

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