About The Rewilders

• Project Statement

  The ReWilders are imaginative, sci-fi-inspired creatures designed by youth from the Nanaimo community in a collaborative, public engagement workshop with artist, Robert Turriff. These sculptures symbolize "ReWilding," the practice of restoring natural habitats. Depicted in the act of removing invasive species and planting native plants, they represent the importance of land stewardship.

  The artist provided a set of 3D-printed parts—heads, limbs, tools, and more—that could be assembled in countless combinations using wooden dowels and modelling clay. Eleven youth workshop participants created unique designs, and the two winning creatures (Chopper designed by Aidan Araujo-Djilas and Jeremy designed by Winter Stewart) were selected by the participating youth for large-scale fabrication by the artist. The original designs were scanned, modelled in 3D, and enlarged to twelve times their initial size. The collaborative effort undertaken by the artist in the development of the artwork, represents an intentional process of fostering dialogue, facilitating community involvement, and encouraging active engagement and participation by Nanaimo’s youth in the City’s cultural landscape.

  Chopper and Jeremy have been deliberately installed in Colliery Dam Park, where the City of Nanaimo and community volunteers are actively involved in removing invasive species and restoring natural habitats. This artwork underscores the significance of native ecosystems, which support local wildlife, boost climate resilience, and endure environmental challenges like drought and climate change.

  Robert Turriff grew up in North Vancouver, where his fascination with plants and forests began. Now, he creates welded sculptures that blend native plants and community engagement, aiming to reconnect people with nature. His work addresses environmental issues like climate change and pollution, with a focus on fostering a sense of community ownership through collaboration, particularly with youth.

  See more of Robert Turriff's work.

• The Process & Project Workshop

  On March 2nd, 2024, eleven youth from the Nanaimo community participated in a free workshop led by artist, Robert Turriff. This 'creature design' workshop was intended to foster dialogue, facilitate community involvement, and encourage active engagement and participation by Nanaimo's youth in the City's cultural landscape.

  The artist provided a set of 3D-printed parts—heads, limbs, tools, and more—that could be assembled in countless combinations using wooden dowels and modelling clay. Conversation was facilitated wherein the group discussed local ecology, the difference between native and invasive species of plants, how to support local wildlife, and the removal processes for invasive plant species such as the ivy found in Colliery Dam Park. This discussion guided the creation of the 'creatures', who symbolize 'ReWilding', the practice of restoring natural habitats.

  Youth workshop participants created unique designs, and the two winning creatures (Chopper designed by Aidan Araujo-Djilas and Jeremy designed by Winter Stewart) were selected by the participating youth for large-scale fabrication by the artist. The original designs were scanned, modelled in 3D, and enlarged to twelve times their initial size, becoming the sculptures seen in Colliery Dam Park today. 

  

  

  Workshop Documentation