Feature Artist: Tamika Knutson

My favourite thing about Tea & Bannock is sharing the work of artists I come across on my travels. On my recent trip to Dawson City, Yukon I met Tr’ondek Hwech’in artist Tamika Knutson, a summer student at the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture. She showed me some of her jewellery work inspired by the moss and lichen of the north. I asked her to share a bit about her practices with Tea & Bannock.

-jt arcand

I’ve always had an interest in art but never thought it would be my career path. Now I can’t imagine doing it any other way. I’ve been studying fine arts for the past 4 years now. My first year of study was at Yukon School of Visual Arts in my hometown Dawson City, Yukon and the last three years I’ve been at NSCAD University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I’ve had the chance to explore a variety of mediums in the past four years.

Initially, I struggled to find one that I wanted to focus on, until I enrolled in “Introduction to Jewellery” in the Fall of 2013. Something about transforming rough metal into precious art objects was exciting to me. I’ve been studying jewellery ever since that introduction class and am now going to graduate as a Jewellery major.

My most recent jewellery is inspired by the natural curiosities of moss and lichen. I feel this inspiration is significant to me because I grew up in Northern Canada where moss and lichen are abundant. I find moss and lichen interesting because it makes me imagine a miniature world unto itself; a whole ecosystem of fantastic colours and shapes. It can only be truly appreciated when you physically get close and acknowledge it. But, is so easily dismissed or overlooked.

My jewellery creation have allowed me to relive and build on these inspirations that have been a part of my whole life. I feel privileged to make and share beautiful things for a living. I hope my work will encourage people to look a little closer and appreciate the small things.

-Tamika Knutson