Draft:Phyllis Atkins

Phyllis Atkins is an artist from the Kwantlen First Nation. Her traditional name q̓ʷɑt̓ic̓ɑ means "I wear the clouds like a blanket." She studied under both Barbara Bolt and the master carver Derek Wilson from the Haisla Nation, learning painting and jewelry engraving, respectively. As an artist, she is influenced by her community, her family, and her ancestors. Atkins often collaborates with her husband Nəq̓ɑɬc̓i Drew Atkins and together they own and operate k’wy’i’y’e Spring Salmon Studio & Gallery located in Fort Langley on q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen) territory.

Returning to the River, 2016
Located in Surrey along the Fraser River, Returning to the River marks the historic seasonal fishing village qəyqə́yt. The sculpture is made of red steel and concrete made to look like a woven cedar basket.

We Are All Connected to This Land, 2019
Referencing the relationship between the Semiahmoo, q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), and Kwantlen Nations, We Are All Connected to This Land includes images of a sun, moon, eagle, wolf, and salmon rendered in Coast Salish design. The artwork is on King George Highway on a bridge by Bear Creek Park.

A Bear's Feast sƛ̓ənəqs kʷə speʔəθ, 2020
Located at Telosky Stadium in Maple Ridge, A Bear's Feast speaks to the importance of animals and their relationship to the environment and Indigenous communities, as well as the importance of harvesting and having access to traditional foods.

The Rivers that Connect Us, 2021
Installed at the Museum of Surrey, The Rivers that Connect Us was designed and fabricated by Phyllis and Drew Atkins and Aaron Jordan. Located in Cloverdale and easily viewable from Highway 10, the public artwork acknowledges Indigenous people's connection to the land and welcomes new Canadians arriving in Surrey. The artwork is composed of steel and polycarbonate materials and is programmable with LED lighting. At the request of the artists in June 2021, The Rivers that Connect Us was lit in orange to recognize and raise awareness about the impact of residential schools in Canada.

Select Exhibitions
In 2021, Atkins had her first solo show at Surrey Art Gallery titled "q̓ʷɑti̓cɑ: k̓ʷam̓k̓ʷəm̓ tə šxʷhəliʔ / Phyllis Atkins: Divine Connection." ƛ̓a tə qələms tə c̓ic̓əɬ səy̓em̓ / The Creator’s Eye, the central multimedia sculpture within the exhibition, references the spindle whorl used for weaving.

Other
With her sister Fern Gabriel, Atkins illustrated the children's book "Let's Count the Moon" for Langley School District 35. The book teaches children how to count in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓.