Spotlight on Genesis Centre & Artist Ian Gillies

There are so many fun, innovative and interesting ways to weave the work of local artists into your events, celebrations and initiatives. There's no one size fits all approach and the sky's the limit, depending on how much you want to get those creative juices flowing.

An award-winning innovation hub for technology startups, the Genesis Centre, based at the Emera Innovation Exchange at Memorial University's Signal Hill Campus, has creativity baked into everything they do. When they were seeking a unique prize for their latest Pitch & Pick event back in November, the Genesis team knew exactly where to turn - the local arts community.

Enlisting the help of local artist and metalworker Ian Gillies, Genesis presented its first place winner, Weevva (a platform founded by local entrepreneur Matt Creese that aims to simplify the rental experience), with a one-of-a-kind trophy (among other prizes) that perfectly exemplifies the resilience and endurance of the local startup landscape.

Artist Ian Gillies (right) holds the pitcher plant trophy he created for Genesis’ latest Pitch & Pick invitational, won by Weevva.

Lovingly crafted by Gillies, the new trophy is based on the province's provincial flower, the pitcher plant, and was ceremoniously presented to the previous year's winners, Veristart, before being awarded to Creese and team.

"This stunning steel sculpture of Newfoundland and Labrador's provincial flower symbolizes strength and resilience—embodying the qualities of tech founders," Genesis states on their website, adding that the trophy will remain on display at Genesis throughout the year. (Each winning company also received a framed pewter pitcher plant by Quidi Vidi Pewter as a permanent keepsake.)

If you've ever strolled around Quidi Vidi Village, you've likely encountered Gillies' and Marc Fiset's large-scale steel sculpture titled "The Fishery" as part of the Quidi Vidi Art Search, but this is the first time he's attempted a trophy, Gillies says.

We caught up with him to learn more about how he came up with the concept for the piece, the creative process, the meaning behind the materials used, and the benefits of embracing new opportunities.

Business & Arts NL: The pitcher plant here in Newfoundland and Labrador stands for strength and resilience, which seems a perfect fit for this event. Did you come up with the concept yourself, or did Genesis provide direction on what they were looking for?

Ian Gillies: It was interesting how the process grew and went full circle. I was contacted and asked if I would be interested in creating a trophy for the Genesis Centre because they had seen my work, but focused on the pitcher plant sculpture I had made and wondered if I could design a trophy. I jumped at the opportunity because it was something I had never done and because I have followed the Genesis Centre and what they do.

The strength, resilience and endurance of both the pitcher plant and steel really seem to emulate what the Genesis Centre helps people with, when developing business ideas. I thought for a while but then realized why try to reinvent the wheel and designed a pitcher plant specifically for a trophy.

Business & Arts NL: Can you tell us a bit more about the material used in crafting this piece, the process, and how the materials reflect the theme of the event?

IG: The material is just 1/8" sheet steel, a little over 3mm. In my mind, I unrolled each section of a pitcher plant and drew out on the steel what I thought that would look like. Then I cut each section of the pitcher plant out of the steel. Then I heated each section in my homemade, traditional coal forge to the desired temperature, which is about 1,800 degrees. With tongs I had made for this work, I took the steel out of the forge and hammered it on my anvil to the desired thickness in certain places and then using other hand tools, I bent and hammered more until each section was shaped the way I wanted. When all sections were shaped, I ground, drilled and welded all sections together.

This pitcher plant needed something different so I could attach it to a base. A friend of mine, Jordan Peckham, with an amazing wood workshop called JP Exeffects, made the base, which I modified so it could securely hold the pitcher plant trophy - a very strong, resilient and enduring work that exemplifies the event and the people involved.

Ian Gillies at work in his forge.

Business & Arts NL: What does it feel like to have your artwork as part of this prestigious award/event?

IG: Most of my work is part of private collections, while some is on public display and can be seen if you happen to be walking by, such as my large fish sculpture on the Quidi Vidi wharf.

I put a lot of physical and creative effort into my work and I believe all art has a bit of the artist within the work and has special meaning to the artist. But I also believe all art means whatever the person enjoying it feels it means to them. But this one, being an award and from such a reputable establishment, is extra meaningful.

To see more of Ian Gillies' work, visit his website iangillies.ca, or find him on Facebook @IanGilliesMetalSculptor or Instagram @ian_gillies_sculptor.