From Edmonton Arts Council: iskotew is a sculptural representation of the word “fire” in nehiyawewin (Cree language) syllabics: ᐃᐢᑯᑌᐤ.
The colours chosen are based on colours that are seen in both historical and contemporary works as to illustrate the congruencies and survival within Indigenous cultures. The vibrancy of the colours is also congruent with the vibrancy of our cultures and languages.
The nehiyawewin word for woman, iskwew, is derived from the word fire, therefore; iskotew connotes the sacred abilities of women, and the often-unrecognized labours of Indigenous women who contributed to creating the place now known as Edmonton.
Artist Bio: Amy Malbeuf is a Métis visual artist from Rich Lake, Alberta. Malbeuf has exhibited her work nationally and internationally at such venues as the MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina; Kamloops Art Gallery, Kamloops; Contemporary Calgary; Kings ARI, Melbourne, Australia; and Stride Gallery, Calgary. Most recently Malbeuf exhibited at the Dunlop Art Gallery as part of Material Girls as well as in Future Station: Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art at the Art Gallery of Alberta.
Malbeuf has participated in many international artist residencies including at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia; The Banff Centre, Alberta; The Labrador Research Institute, Labrador; and in 2015 was named one of two Canada Council for the Arts fellows at the Santa Fe Art Institute, New Mexico. Malbeuf lives and works in Kelowna where she is working towards an MFA from the University of British Columbia Okanagan.