Elizabeth Cardell

As a child of the military, I was fortunate to be exposed to some the greatest art in the world. My father was posted in Europe for three years and my parents made sure I visited, many times, the great galleries and museums of Florence, Rome and Venice. I learned to appreciate monumental art, fabulous paintings and amazing sculptures.

As a high school and college student, I was channeled into academic studies, while being encouraged at home to pursue art of any sort. In 1970, while living in the Panama Canal Zone, I discovered batik.

In 1974, the then NDP government of British Columbia established a program which would take overqualified, unemployable people, such as myself, and create new teachers for the more remote areas of British Columbia. I am sure I was tagged as an art teacher more on my appearance at that time rather than any qualification. I was successful in this program and came to teach on Haida Gwaii in 1975.

In 1976 I left Haida Gwaii to attend the San Francisco Art Institute. Upon my return to Haida Gwaii my journey as an artist began.

Since then a great passion for the fibre arts, colour and texture has guided me. The desire to improve my skills and understanding of batik lead to me to Yogakarta, Indonesia, where I studied under several different Masters. Felting was another medium that called to me which again lead me to several wonderful and talented mentors. Finally, I discovered the wonders on the forest floor of Haida Gwaii and by experimenting with lichens, leaves and seaweed developed the Haida Gwaii Green Men.

My latest odyssey has been eco dye on silk. This has allowed me to gather natural materials from friends’ yards and my driveway and set their pigment into silk.

June 3, 2021: We have now endured over a year of Covid 19. Haida Gwaii has been isolated for much of this time. Our Communities have all supported each other to keep everyone safe and healthy. There has been some wonderful Art made in these difficult times.