Coast Salish chainsaw carver Claude “Rocky” LaRock (E’yies’lek) competed in the Hope World Class Chainsaw Carving Event this past weekend.
LaRock is a regular competitor in the carving competition, both in the speed carve and the regular carve, and is usually the sole representative from the Agassiz-Harrison area.
“People here have been so friendly, caring and showing the utmost respect and appreciation for what we do,” LaRock said. “I’m truly honoured.”
RELATED: Sts’ailes carver Rocky LaRock honoured by Canada Council for the Arts
LaRock’s big carve this year was a portrait of Sasq’ets, or “Sasquatch.” Sts’ailes tradition regards Sasq’ets as sacred, a caretaker of the land who can shape-shift at will and pass between the physical and spiritual worlds.
“He’s our everything,” LaRock said. “We see him on a regular basis. We pray to him , and he takes care of everybody.”
LaRock said carving the massive portrait is medicine, healing to him and all who watch the process and appreciate the final product.
RELATED: Coast Salish artist Rocky LaRock savours this year’s Hope Chainsaw Carving Competition experience
LaRock’s work has been featured in the Abbotsford art gallery The Reach, the Art Gallery at Evergreen in Coquitlam and he has received honours from the Canada Council for the Arts. He also appeared on Jonny Harris’s’s “Still Standing” TV series that explores small towns across Canada.
The winners of this year’s chainsaw carving event in Hope are Ryan Villiers in first place, Chris Foltz in second and Benji Waretini-Hemara in third. More than a dozen carvers – both professional and amateur from Alberta, B.C. and beyond – competed this year in Hope.
adam.louis@ ahobserver.com
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