Empire of Dirt

Nestled amidst the forested slopes of the Purcell Mountains, overlooking the lush and dynamic wetlands of the Creston Valley in southern British Columbia, is an Empire of Dirt (EoD). This humble empire encompasses thirty acres of wilderness and wetlands, three beautiful live/work studio cabins, all lovingly stewarded by James Wallis and Marnie Temple. Shaped by the values of honour and respect for the land and its history, together with their beliefs in relationship, reciprocity and openness, these two artists have created a residency with the intention to, in their words, “offer artists time and space to make work, research, collaborate, and participate in critical thought and conversation”. EoD accomplishes all of this with the broader mission of connecting professional artists with an engaged and always changing local audience, while participating in the broader context of Contemporary Art in Canada and internationally.

In Spring of 2022 Drunken Paw completed our first 2 week residency at EoD with the help of a Research and Creation grant from Canada Council. This has since been followed by two more in 2023 and 2024. Through these experiences, we sought the influence of the forest to teach and inform us, inviting it to become the fourth voice in our visual conversation. Immersion in this complex natural environment impressed upon us the remarkable and interconnected nature of these wild spaces. Our drawings became translations of our interactions with the forest.

Pieces produced