Rande Cook (Kwakwaka’wakw) is a multimedia artist born in culture-rich Alert Bay. Surrounded by the beauty of the land and art, he found the passion of artistic creativity at an early age. Cook has studied under several master craftsmen to learn traditional jewellery and carving techniques including master carver John Livingston. In 2015 and 2016, Rande Cook held the Audain Professorship of Contemporary Art Practice of the Pacific Northwest with the Visual Arts department at the University of Victoria.

While growing up, Cook observed and discussed the traditional art forms of his Kwakwaka’wakw forefathers with his grand- father, Gus Matilpi. With the strong teachings from his grandparents about culture and the sacred ceremonies of the Pot- latch world, Cook became an accomplished singer and dancer, and learned the values of life and culture that prepared him to be a strong leader for his people. He carries two chieftainships: the Hamatam/Seagull; and the Gigalgam from the ancient ancestor Kwanusila/Thunderbird. This story can be seen on the 27-foot totem pole he was commissioned to carve for the Museum Volkenkunde in the Netherlands in 2012.

In 1991, Cook moved from his tiny island life to Victoria to attend high school and college. There he was exposed to a wide range of art-forms and practices from the Western tradition. Traveling the world has also contributed to his broadening his perspectives and bolstered his desire to push the boundaries of traditional works. With his unique accumulation of heritage, knowledge and experience, Cook continually pushes boundaries to create beautiful and provocative works that challenge audiences to reconsider the role of traditional techniques for contemporary art-making.

Sacred art, sacred teachings – by John Threlfall

SPECIAL COMMISSIONS

• 2014
  – “Shaman Pole” private commission
• 2012
  – “Quench” 8 ft. totem water fountain for the city of Duncans’ 100 year centennial
  – 26-foot totem pole commission for the Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden, The Netherlands
  – Rande Cook collaborated with film maker Broderick Fox for his film “The Skin I’m In” at the Victoria Film Festival
• 2009
  – First Peoples House at UVIC; House Post panels
• 2006-07
  – Private commission 28′ totem, multiple interior installations including two 8′ x 8′ carved sliding doors.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

• 2015
  – Behind the Gold Veil, Campbell River Art Gallery, Campbell River BC
• 2012
  – Exhibition in collaboration with Victoria Film Festival screening of “The Skin I’m In”,  Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria BC
  – The Spirit Within, Steinbrueck Gallery, Seattle, WA
• 2011
  – Continued Explorations of the Form line, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria BC
  – Convergence/Divergence – Landscape and Identity on the West Coast, The Legacy Gallery, University of Victoria, Victoria BC
• 2010
  – Innovative Visions of the Form Line, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria BC
• 2007
  – Arctic Raven Gallery, Friday Harbour WA

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

• 2018
  – Seattle Art Fair 2018, (The Supper Club), Fazakas Gallery booth, Seattle WA, USA
  – Papier | Art Fair, Fazakas Gallery Booth, Montreal QC
• 2017
  – Art Toronto | International Art Fair, Fazakas Gallery Booth, Toronto ON
  – Shapeshifting: Rande Cook and Carollyne Yardley, Fazakas Gallery, Vancouver BC
• 2016
  – Divergent Convergence, Fazakas Gallery, Vancouver BC
  – Art Toronto | International Art Fair, Fazakas Gallery Booth, Toronto ON
  – Culture Shift – Une révolution culturelle, Contemporary Native Art Biennial (BACA), 3rd edition, Art Mûr, Montréal QC
• 2014
  – Art Toronto | International Art Fair, Fazakas Gallery Booth, Toronto ON
  – White Before Labour Day, Fazakas Gallery, Vancouver BC
  – Inappropriate, Fazakas Gallery, Vancouver BC
• 2013
  – Urban Thunderbirds/Ravens in a Material World, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Victoria BC
• 2010
  – Giving Traditions, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria BC
• 2009
  – Group exhibition, Steinbrueck Gallery, Seattle WA
• 2008
  – Inspired Reflections, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria BC
• 2007
  – Gathered Treasures, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria BC
  – Group exhibition, Douglas Reynolds Gallery, Vancouver BC
• 2006
  – Opening/Exhibit, National Museum of the American Indian, Washington DC
  – Group Exhibition, Douglas Reynolds Gallery, Vancouver BC
• 2004
  – Canada Council Art Bank, Washington DC
  – Story Tellers, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria BC
• 2003
  – Group exhibition, Smithsonian Museum, Washington DC

2002
– Tribal Miniatures X, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria BC

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• 2017
  — Audain Professor for the Pacific Northwest at Universit of Victoria

AWARDS

• 2017
  — Audain Achievement Award for BC
• 2012
  – City of Duncan Perpetual Art Award for Quench
• 1995
  – Graduated from Victoria High School with the Henry Hunt and Mungo Martin Art Award

APPRENTICESHIPS/EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGES

• 2010
  – Studied Repousser and Chasing, Italy and New York
• 2007
  – Studied Under Robert Davidson, Repousser and Engraving
• 2005
  – Studied Traditional Box Bending with Bruce Alfred
• 2000/2006
  – Apprenticed under Master carver John Livingston, Art Thompson
• 2001
  – New Zealand Art Exchange, Canoe carving
• 1997/2000
  – Apprenticed under William Cook for Silversmith and Engraving