Photograph by Parks Canada
Dorset Doorway/Mother and Son
by Jim Maunder and Michael Massie
Sculpture
(Steel and limestone)
Point Riche, Port au Choix National Historic Site, Port au Choix
A series of artworks is located along the walking trails at the Port au Choix National Historic Site (designated in 1970) to commemorate Indigenous settlement at the site. The Maritime Archaic people, the Groswater Palaeoeskimo, the Dorsets, and more recent Indigenous groups were here before the arrival of Europeans in the region. Phillip's Garden is the site of a major Dorset habitation, occupied for 800 years beginning 2,000 years ago.
Located near the Point Riche Lighthouse (a 2 km gravel road from the Visitor Reception Centre), Dorset Doorway is an artistic representation of a Dorset Palaeoeskimo house which was uncovered at Phillip’s Garden. The artwork encompasses two laser-cut stainless steel arches (4’ wide x 8' high) placed on opposite sides of a 24’ diameter rock wall. Nearby Mother and Son, a steel sculpture, depicts sealskin preparation.
Labrador artist Michael Massie and Newfoundland artist Jim Maunder worked together on these two sculptures. They also collaborated on the two sculptures around Phillip’s Garden, on the north side of the Point Riche Peninsula.
Follow the links to learn more about the cultural landscapes of Port au Choix.
Artist bio
Jim Maunder was born in St. John’s, NL. A graduate of the Ontario College of Art, he has been making sculptures, drawings and paintings for over 30 years, including several large public sculptures in St. John’s and Port au Choix, NL. His work has shown in St. John’s, Halifax, Toronto, St. Catharines, Hamilton, New York and Tokyo, and is held in private collections in Canada and the U.S., as well as the collections of the governments of St. John’s, of Newfoundland and Labrador, and of Canada. His themes include an exploration of the complexities of the interaction between humans and the natural environment. Maunder currently lives in St. Catharines, Ontario and spends part of his year in St. John’s. He is represented by the Christina Parker Gallery in St. John’s and TAG Gallery in St. Catharines. His website is www.jimmaunder.ca
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