ArtsAlive installations start popping up in Oak Bay

The second artwork of ArtsAlive 2018 in Oak Bay went up Monday on Monterey Avenue.

M’akhotso (Mother of Peace) by Linda Lindsay is sponsored by Barclay’s Fine Jewellers and David Adams QC.

Spring brings renewal of ... wonderful art. This one sprouted today: ‘M’akhotso’ (Mother of Peace) by OB artist Linda Linday (w help from husband David) - a comment on modern attitudes towards immigration. Amazing. Watch for more to sprout. #ArtsAlive2018 pic.twitter.com/M79WGBiwv1

— Nils Jensen (@MayorNils) April 9, 2018

“I was thrilled with the theme this year, when I saw the theme it inspired me to do this sculpture,” Lindsay said.

This year’s theme is Balancing Act.

“It brought out a lot of different ideas,” said arts laureate Barbara Adams.

For Lindsay, an Oak Bay artist, it afforded the opportunity to revisit a piece called Mbuto’s Hopes and Dreams. She always wanted to resculpt that peice, including a lower body, sarong and bracelets. Lindsay added the earth to convey the balance.

“I feel one of the greatest balancing acts of our time is immigration so that’s what this piece is about. It’s to talk about the positive side of immigration,” said Lindsay, who herself immigrated from the U.S., giving her a taste of what it’s like. “This piece is about people coming from other countries and being a bit, maybe overwhelmed, but very hopeful.”

Mbuto, a real life friend of the Lindsays, came to Canada from Africa at age 19 not knowing anyone. She has worked hard while facing the challenges of being an immigrant, but here radiance shines through. Mbuoto is not the exception, though, Lindsay says, she is an example of the strength and determination of many immigrants.

“Mbuto became like a daughter to my husband, David and I during the years of working on the original peice that I call Mbuto’s Hops and Dreams,” Lindsay said. David even sculpted the earth perched atop M’akhotso.

The sculpture was the first for Oak Bay village, with one other piece already installed in the 2018 edition of ArtsAlive.

Ocean In Motion by Fred Dobbs in Haynes Park – sponsored by Oak Bay Marine Group was installed in January as the first piece of the 2018 sculpture walk. It replaced Dobbs’ Ghost Cat that made its way to Galiano Island after being bought by Beach Drive resident Betty Kennedy for her Gulf Islands property.

RELATED: Oak Bay Art takes it on the nose

The Oak Bay arts committee marks the departure of the most talked about piece from the 2017 ArtsAlive with a good-bye party. The Nose Knows good-bye party is Friday, April 20 and will be the last chance for a selfie with the Nose before it sets off to Palm Springs for exhibition.