“The Official non-Olympic Inukshuk.”

Barney McLeod is an Ojibway Stone carver, born and raised in a small town in Northern Ontario (Matachewan).

He first learned wood carving by watching his maternal grandfather. In later years he put this knowledge to practical use carving wood to restore fine antiques while living in Toronto.

Today, however, Barney McLeod lives on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia where he creates a variety of work reflecting the history of indigenous peoples.

Among the most popular of his pieces are the inukshuks which he has been carving for years, and which are now gaining much attention because the traditional image of rocks placed in the likeness of a human has been adopted as the official symbol of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.

The word 'inukshuk' means 'in the likeness of a human'.

Levitated Apples was greatly pleased over the holiday season to receive one of McLeod's creations (see below) - the figure he refers to as his, “Official non-Olympic Inukshuk” with a history all its own.

Since before recorded history, the inukshuk, has served as an Inuit monument and marker. Composed of unworked stone and prominently placed for immediate visual communication, the inukshuk shows that someone was here, or that the traveller is on the right path.

The choice of the symbol for the Vancouver Winter Olympics was initially questioned since it was not part of the culture of the lower mainland, being associated with northern regions. It was subsequently explained as a universal symbol of Canadian unity and readily accepted.

A Message of Brotherhood.

For the transplanted Ojbway Barney McLeod, this makes good sense. Although a staunch supporter of aborignial rights, he recognizes the changing nature of human existence - spreading the message of brotherhood through his work in exhibitions across the continent.

He began by carving soapstone using traditional tools at the Canadian National Exhibition, and later participated in the Earth Spirit Festival which united visual and performing artists from Japanese, Inuit and Native cultures.

He has exhibited as far afield as Texas and Florida, and continues to teach in various schools throughout the lower mainland.

























Should you be interested in learning more, contact Barney McLeod’s Studio/Gallery, 4414 Hwy 101 @ Hazelnut Lane, Sechelt, B.C., Canada. Telephone: 604-818-7811. e-mail:
barneyandkaren@dccnet.com