Vickers, Roy Henry – Old Town (end Roy Henry Vickers

The composition presents a striking juxtaposition of natural and cultural elements rendered in a stylized, graphic manner. A monumental carved totem pole dominates the central foreground, its intricate facial features and symbolic carvings immediately drawing the eye. The figures gaze is directed outward, suggesting an awareness or perhaps a silent observation of the surrounding environment.
Behind the totem pole, a structure with a steeply pitched roof extends into a vibrant red sky. This building’s angularity contrasts sharply with the organic forms of the natural landscape and the carved figure. A large circular form, likely representing a celestial body – possibly the sun or moon – hangs in the upper portion of the composition, its surface textured to suggest luminosity.
The background is divided into horizontal bands of color: a dark blue water line separates the foreground from a distant grey landmass. The simplification of these elements contributes to an overall sense of flatness and deliberate design. Linear patterns are employed throughout – notably in the depiction of the roof structure, the totem pole’s carvings, and the horizon line – reinforcing this graphic quality.
The color palette is bold and somewhat unnatural; the intense red sky, deep blue water, and grey landmass create a heightened sense of drama and symbolic weight. The limited range of hues contributes to an almost dreamlike or folkloric atmosphere.
Subtly, there’s a tension between preservation and displacement. The totem pole, a symbol of cultural heritage, stands prominently, yet it is positioned against a backdrop that suggests a changing landscape – the modern structure and stylized sky hinting at external forces impacting traditional ways of life. The work seems to explore themes of identity, memory, and the interaction between indigenous culture and modernity, conveyed through a carefully constructed visual language.