Maritza Louis Clay Sculpt - Indigenous Man

Sculpt by Maritza Louis (Klukʷtús skʷukʷúsnt) @_punchy_
Bust Design by Kevin Roualland @kevinroualland
Design with Clay Workshop in Italy - instructed by Andrea Blasich @andreablasichsculpture
Sept 2024

This clay sculpture was my final piece after a week at the Design with Clay Workshop in Italy (Sept 2024), instructed by Andrea Blasich, whose work I’ve admired for years.

It was an unforgettable week in the foothills of the Italian Alps: sculpting outdoors, sharing home-cooked meals, walking past goats and horses to the studio, and connecting with artists from many backgrounds.

The piece began from a drawing by Kevin Roualland, described as “an Indigenous man, possibly Sioux, Apache, or Plains”. Because the specific Nation and identity are uncertain, I approached it as a respectful sculptural study rather than a definitive cultural representation. The drawing showed only the upper body, so I imagined and sculpted the rest of the figure as part of the exploration.

As an Indigenous artist, Syilx and Secwépemc, I understand the importance of representation and the care needed when depicting Indigenous peoples, Nations, regalia, and cultural objects. I don’t know the specific identity connected to the original reference, and I’m always open to learning more. It is important to keep learning and growing.

What I loved most was translating a 2D design into clay — expanding what wasn’t visible and exploring the form as it emerged. Unlike my digital sculpting, there’s no undo, no symmetry, no rolling back to a earlier version. Only more exploration of forms.

Afterward, the sculpture was packed in a handmade cardboard-and-tape case and lovingly carried across Italy and on the flight home. Working with clay continues to be an important part of my artistic journey, going all the way back to sculpting with playdough and mud as a kid on the 6 Mile flats of my home Nation in the Okanagan.

#indigenous #sculpture #clay