Brandon Gabriel

Brandon Gabriel is a member of the Kwantlen First Nation, whose unceded territories span present-day communities of New Westminster, North Surrey, Port Kells, Langley Township, Langley City, East Maple Ridge, Whonnock, Ruskin, and Mission City. Brandon also identifies with his kinship groups who encompass both the Downriver Hən̓q̓əmin̓əm (present-day Metro Vancouver), and Upriver Halkomelem (present-day Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon) speaking tribal nations, with familial ties in many of these communities. 

Brandon grew up in a hard working family in the Kwantlen First Nation. It was this experience he struck a lifelong love of art. Brandon Gabriel trained at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (1999-2003) in Cultural Anthropology, Marketing, and Visual Arts. He then went on to study at Emily Carr University of Art and Design (2003-2006) and obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art, with a minor in Indigenous Studies. He left both institutions as an accomplished student of mixed media sculpture, painting, drawing, and art history. 

Upon finishing his education, he helped develop Indigenous focused curriculum at the University of the Fraser Valley’s Indigenous Studies program, and also taught Indigenous History and Protocols. He then went on to work in multiple primary and secondary school districts to work as a curriculum development consultant, and continues to guest lecture in these capacities to provide indigenous themed content for both students, and trained education professionals centered on the 94 Calls to Action in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission efforts. Brandon is now an Instructor of Indigenous Studies at his Alma Mater, Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

Brandon’s murals, screens, monumental sculptures, installations and graphic art have appeared in dozens of elementary, middle, and high schools; universities, civic buildings, public parks and plazas; gymnasium floors and as sports team jerseys; company, provincial, and national logos; and as national, provincial, and regional medal designs for professional, varsity and amateur sports competitions. He has exhibited in Hong Kong, England, Scotland, the USA, and across Canada. In addition to this, his first solo exhibit was held at Gallery 64 in Kimberley, BC (2016) and he has participated in group exhibitions at the Glenbow Museum, Surrey Art Gallery, The Reach Gallery Museum, The ACT Maple Ridge, Burnaby Village Museum, and the Fort Langley National Exhibition Center.

Brandon Gabriel is a past recipient or successful applicant of grants, awards, commissions and artist-in-residence positions from Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, Vancouver Foundation, First People’s Cultural Council, Indspire, Seattle Office of Arts and Culture- Public Art Permanent Collection, Amnesty International, TD Canada Trust, Port Moody Foundation, Kwantlen Polytechnic University Foundation, Langley School District Foundation, Vancouver Police Foundation, BC Lions Society, Easter Seals BC and Yukon, Vancouver Parks Board, Surrey Art Gallery Association, BC Ministry of Transportation, BC Ministry of Health, BC Ministry of Advanced Education, the BC Ministry of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Surrey Schools, Langley Schools, Coquitlam Public Schools, Mission School District, and Maple Ridge Public Schools.

Brandon’s most recent notable works include six monumental steel sculptures installed on the BC Hydro Ruskin Dam in Mission BC (2019), one seventeen foot tall old growth red cedar house pole titled “The Spirit of Kwikwetlem” to be raised in Tsleil-waututh and Kwikwetlem First Nations territories at Rocky Point Park in the City of Port Moody; a seventeen foot Coast Salish House Pole at Red Fish Healing Center for Mental Health and Addictions (Formerly known as Riverview Hospital, Coquitlam, 2021); a thirty-five foot tall monumental concrete embossed sculpture to be installed on the east-facing lower leg of the forthcoming Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project; as well as the jersey design for Team Canada’s National Outrigger Distance Racing Team unveiled in at the world championship competition held in Samoa in August 2023, to name a few.

Brandon Gabriel’s works have been used as his nation’s official insignia since 1994. He has his work adorned on official coats of arms and has the distinction of being only one of three Indigenous artists in Canada to be recognized by Canada’s College of Heralds. He has been honored for his achievements by one Governor-General of Canada and has had his work collected by one former Prime Minister of Canada. Brandon’s work has been used as medals for past BC Summer Games, Pan-Am Games in South America, and were put on display during the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, and work integrated into Translink Skytrain’s Mark 5 trains windscreens in 2024. His contributions to Canada’s Indigenous art landscape are studied in curricula in university Indigenous Studies departments at Vancouver Island University, University of Manioba, University of Winnipeg, and Kwantlen Polytechnic University. He is also a frequent speaker in public forums, film festivals, and teach-ins on subjects related to Indigenous art, environmental issues, social justice and climate issues.