As makers of apparel inspired by traditional Northwest Coast art, the staff at Edzerza Gallery are often asked the question: “Is it OK if I wear these clothes and I’m not native?”
“Our answer is always, ‘Absolutely,’” says Charlene Johnny-Wadsworth, who manages the company’s online store. “We’ve turned our marketing around in the last six months to gear it toward everybody.”
The brand’s tagline, “Native artwear made for every body,” holds double meaning. Not only are customers of all backgrounds encouraged to buy and wear the garments, but many of the pieces are available up to size 5XL to accommodate a wide range of body types.
Edzerza Gallery was founded in 2007 by West Vancouver resident Alano Edzerza, who belongs to the Raven Clan of the Tahltan Nation and has a studio on the North Shore.
“My mandate as a young business owner is to not only continue to succeed in running my own business, but to grow and be able to show other artists, native and non-native alike, that we all can create successful business from our talents,” he is quoted on his website.
Edzerza has been making art since his youth and, at 21, began studying under the mentorship of family member and fellow Tahltan artist Terrence Campbell. He later learned how to make jewelry in Arizona under the instruction of Navajo jeweller Ric Charlie. Over the years he’s worked with renowned First Nations artists such as Jay Simeon, Marcel Russ, Philip Gray, Corey Bulpitt, Beau Dick, Mark Preston and Dempsey Bob. He also did a three-year apprenticeship with Haida jewelry carver Rick Adkins.
Today, Edzerza is an accomplished multimedia artist who works in a variety of mediums including pencil, acrylic, glass and wood. He’s completed major installation projects and his work has been shown in both solo and group exhibits in Canada and abroad.
During the 2010 Winter Olympics, Edzerza was commissioned by VANOC to create a large-scale glass installation at Rogers Arena. He also designed the outerwear for the Dutch Olympic team.
Building on his foundation in Northwest Coast art, Edzerza began silkscreening his designs onto clothing for men, women and children and also launched a collection of laser-cut sterling silver jewelry.
Johnny-Wadsworth says Edzerza’s apparel line is based on traditional First Nations imagery, but he puts his own twist on everything.
“He’s looking for inspiration everywhere, all of the time,” she says, listing Japanese anime and pop art among his modern influences.
Johnny-Wadsworth is an artist herself and counts Edzerza among her mentors. She works mainly in textiles and has had her art displayed at Vancouver International Airport. She also does much of the promotional fashion photography for the Edzerza Gallery website.
Currently, Johnny-Wadsworth says Edzerza’s sales are focused mainly in Canada and the United States, but every now and then a buyer from New Zealand, Japan or Europe might make a purchase. With the hopes of expanding the company’s reach, Edzerza travelled to Europe last fall with his art and fashion in tow.
“He’s trying to reach a worldwide market right now,” says Johnny-Wadsworth.
Edzerza’s clothing, jewelry and fine art is available online at edzerzagallery.com.
Locals can find both men’s and women’s apparel at the Men’s Club in Park Royal Shopping Centre.
