Condolences have been pouring in for family members and friends following the death earlier this month of famed Penelakut Coast Salish artist Gus Modeste. He was 44.

Modeste had been living in Duncan in recent years to be close to doctors and the hospital while dealing with diabetes, heart problems and other health issues.

sa国际传媒淎 very talented artist,sa国际传媒� said Penelakut band administrator Jim Chisholm. sa国际传媒淚 met him a few times, a real nice fellow.sa国际传媒�

Modeste grew up on Galiano Island and spent a few years in Nanaimo before going to live with his dad on Penelakut and attended Chemainus Secondary School where he honed his craft as a carver.

sa国际传媒淗e got a lot of encouragement from Walter Stoochnoff, a teacher there,sa国际传媒� said Modestesa国际传媒檚 aunt Connie Crocker. sa国际传媒淭hatsa国际传媒檚 where his life of carving began.sa国际传媒�

Modeste also drew inspiration from carver Francis Horne. A totem Modeste did stands as a legacy at the entrance to the high school.

Along with Doug August of Cowichan, Modeste did carvings for the site marker and nose of the aircraft that was sunk off Chemainus 14 years ago on January 14, 2006 to become a diving reef.

His carvings and prints can be found all over the world, including Brussels, Belgium.

One of Modestesa国际传媒檚 most loved works, known as Mothersa国际传媒檚 Love, is a powerful interpretation of orca J35 from the southern resident killer whale population and her offspring.

He also did magnificent canoe designs, including one for his own Penelakut village.

sa国际传媒淗e had such a natural talent for drawing and carving,sa国际传媒� said Crocker. sa国际传媒淚t just really developed and it seemed to happen so easily. He was just so talented.

sa国际传媒淚 think about him personally, I never had a boring conversation with him,sa国际传媒� she added. sa国际传媒淗e was always very interesting to talk to. He had pertinent things to talk about and he was also very funny.sa国际传媒�

Comments poured in on social media as news of Modestesa国际传媒檚 death spread.

sa国际传媒淗e opened my eyes to some of his views without effort,sa国际传媒� noted Shane Harper. sa国际传媒淚 very much enjoyed some of his perspectives.sa国际传媒�

He did phenomenal work,sa国际传媒� Wes Bissett indicated.

Rainforest Arts on Willow Street in Chemainus is hoping some of his work will surface from his studio and proceeds of any sales will go to his family.

sa国际传媒淗e had a collection of work that he had been preparing,sa国际传媒� noted Crocker.

sa国际传媒淗is work is a gift to the world,sa国际传媒� added Kathy Wachs of the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society. sa国际传媒淗is character was strong and sweet. Condolences to the many who love him.sa国际传媒�

sa国际传媒淗e lives on through his art,sa国际传媒� Hanna Miskiman remarked. sa国际传媒淐ondolences to the family.sa国际传媒�

sa国际传媒淭his is such sad news,sa国际传媒� offered Tammy Baines. sa国际传媒淕us was such a kind person and so talented.sa国际传媒�

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