Firebird

"Firebird" is apart of an ongoing series by Rodney Sayer, an artist from the Hupačasath First Nation.   The carved mask is shaped to emulate a 69' Firebird muscle car hood, hence the name and is finished with several layers of acrylic enamel and lacquer. 

The series blends elements of his heritage as well as integrating Sayer's passion for motorhead traditions. 

He regularly transitions between sculpting, metalsmithing, and screen printing. He brings a sense of humor and joy to his art, stating that "if it's not fun, I don't want to do it." 

Growing up in Port Alberni, Sayer was captivated by the shiny street rods that roared through the streets. He saw them as beautiful objects and sculptures, unaware of the machismo culture surrounding them until he heard them referred to as "muscle cars."

This realization only added to his fascination with the cars, which he compares to traditional Nuu-chah-nulth paddles.