b'88 YVR ARTSCAPESPHOTO: VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT / LAROPORT INTERNATIONAL DE VANCOUVERLand, Sea, Sky Before sense of place became a major design trend inThe Musqueam Welcome Figures that stand sentinel at the the industry, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) wasbottom of the escalators are meaningful from both the front and already dripping with it. Take, for instance, the way YVRback. Passengers descending to the Customs area see deeply has greeted international arrivals for three decades. sculpted forms inspired by Musqueam house posts. The opposite When international passengers deplane at British Columbiasside of the figures is flatter, with designs that echo those on the main airport, they pass through an area replete with culturalspindle whorl, plus Points updated take on other traditional imagery. references to the Musqueam People, upon whose land the airportThe massive weavings that hang from the ceiling showcase sits. Permanent artwork includes an oversized spindle whorl (thedesign elements from Musqueam blankets and represent nearly a weighted piece used to maintain momentum when hand-spinningyears work by Debra Sparrow, Robyn Sparrow, Krista Point, Gina yarn), four monumental weavings made of hand-spun yarn, and aGrant and Helen Callbreath.pair of giant Musqueam Welcome Figures.Together, the seven large-scale works are visual examples of The spindle whorl and welcome figures were all carved fromhow YVR honors the Sustainability and Friendship Agreement red cedar by Musqueam artist Susan A. Point. The round spindleit signed with Musqueam in 2017. The document officially whorl includes images of the eagle (a Musqueam symbol of power)recognizes that, being located on Musqueam traditional territory, and humans with arms raised to welcome visitors and gesturethe airport has a responsibility to work with the Musqueam flight. Salmon motifs represent the Musqueam people, who still liveCommunity to achieve a sustainable and mutually beneficial and fish along shores of Vancouver. The entire piece is displayedfuture. The 30-year agreement has both cultural and economic against backdrop of water and stone to reference the local land. implications, including revenue-sharing. May | June 2025AirportImprovement.com'