“Animals cross through the narrows, and fish pass through them. Humans gather food there and have created stories and songs for generations to come.”

“Where the Waters Narrow” marks Violet’s first solo exhibition at the Yukon Arts Centre.

Violet Gatensby, an Inland Tlingit artist from the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, was born into a large family and spent much of her childhood on the land. Exploring art from a young age, she found support from mentors such as Keith Wolfe Smarch, Claudia Mcphee, Dempsey Bob, Ken McNeil, Stan Bevan, and Arlene Ness. Violet pursued her passion further by attending art school in British Columbia, ultimately earning an advanced diploma from the First Nations Fine Arts program at the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art.

A versatile and talented artist, Violet primarily works with wood but also enjoys metalwork, design, and painting.

She has garnered significant recognition for her work, having completed numerous major commissions. These include a carved panel for the Yukon Supreme Court, public utility artworks for the City of Whitehorse, and a dugout canoe apprenticeship with Wayne Price at Haa Shagóon Hídi. Violet’s art is deeply influenced by the values instilled in her by her parents and grandparents—stay connected to the land, maintain an open mind, and remain teachable. She incorporates these influences into her art, bridging the traditional and contemporary worlds.