World-renowned Tsimshian artist's carving found by his B.C. neighbours on a sailboat in Mexico
Discovery was made by chance after Hazelton couple purchased boat for an upcoming trip
A couple from Hazelton, B.C., says an unusual discovery while purchasing a boat in Mexico has instilled them with a sense of destiny for an upcoming round-the-world sailing trip.
Self-described adventurers Shannon and Steve McPhail have been planning to sail around the world when their youngest daughter graduates high school next year.
Shannon said she had been feeling apprehensive about the upcoming trip. But what they found on that boat in Mexico makes her feel like the voyage was meant to be.
"It just felt like it was something that blessed our trip," Shannon said during an interview on CBC's Daybreak North.
"It's an adventure that now I'm looking forward to with kind of a whole new sense of energy."
'I couldn't believe my eyes'
The couple were on a sailing trip up and down the west coast of B.C. and Alaska when Steve found his dream boat online — a Fast Passage, made in Canada.
"He found one in Mexico and he put a sort of a Hail Mary bid on it and it was accepted," Shannon said.
Steve recently went down to work on the boat in the port city of Guaymas, as the vessel, he admitted, "needs a little bit of love."
While he was admiring some of the artwork left behind on the vessel, a unique signature on one of the carvings caught Steve's eye.
"I just took a closer look and I couldn't believe my eyes — Roy Vickers," Steve said.
Roy Henry Vickers is a world-renowned Tsimshian artist. Perhaps more remarkably, he's also a close friend of the McPhails and a neighbour of sorts. Vickers lives 15 kilometres up the Skeena river from their home in Hazelton.
"Instantly I messaged Roy and Shannon and yeah, it just blew my mind," Steve said.
Distant memory
Vickers is an author, painter and carver who is a member of both the Order of British Columbia and Order of Canada. One of his best-known works is King Salmon Housefront, on display at the Vancouver International Airport. He's also been nominated for a Grammy after creating the artwork for a Grateful Dead box set.
Vickers says hearing about the carving brought back a faint memory from many years ago, when he was working in his gallery in Tofino in the 1990s.
"It's like this beautiful memory that has come back to life," Vickers said. "That's one of the most unique pieces I've ever carved."
He carved it for a friend who was doing exactly what Steve and Shannon are going to do — sail around the world, he said.
The friend insisted the artwork stay with the boat, according to Vickers. He says the carving is unique because it is made from mahogany, whereas he usually works with cedar.
The carving is a likeness of himself, with his hair under his headdress carved in the style of Japanese artist Hiroshige, wearing a button blanket with an eagle.
Carving instills confidence
As for the boat, and the trip, Steve said he hopes to continue working on the ship, and plans to sail home in the spring.
But he might have to leave those plans for another year.
"A sailor's plans are written in the sand at a low tide," he said with a laugh.
For Shannon, knowing about the carving and the intention behind it has made her feel confident, no matter what happens.
"It's the spirit of going out to explore the world and to be safe," she said.
"It feels really good."
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