Eco-Friendly Northwest Tradition Ingrained in Furniture Collection

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - April 10, 2013 - PRLog -- Vancouver, BC (April 10, 2013) – Well-known B.C. designer and artist Sabina Hill has launched an innovative new collection which merges the rich mythology of West Coast native culture with a contemporary design aesthetic.

The Harvest Collection is about paying homage to nature’s gifts by incorporating them into our daily lives. The most striking feature of the collection is the use of tanned salmon skins, offering Hill the unique opportunity to work with exotic leather without compromising her dedication to green living.

“Sabina is taking this natural material in a new direction by incorporating it into her furniture and artwork,” says Allan Switzer co-founder of SwitzerCultCreative, whose company is exclusively carrying the collection. “Salmon skin is a wonderful example of how a by-product of food production can be recycled and utilized, turning it into something exotic and beautiful.”

Hill’s integration of salmon skin into her latest collection comes as legislation is introduced in British Columbia that would officially establish the Pacific salmon as the provincial fish emblem. “Having grown up on the West Coast of B.C., I’ve always had a great appreciation for the salmon: their ecological, cultural and economic significance is immeasurable to our province,” says Sabina Hill.

Salmon skin is known to be as tough as Gortex and as soft as velvet.

Described by Rachel Gotlieb, a curator and internationally recognized author on Canadian art and design, as being at the “forefront of design on the West Coast,” Hill’s Harvest Collection features eight stunningly unique and beautiful pieces:

Harvest Table – Tanned salmon skin panels are featured with high gloss lacquer bear, raven and eagle motifs; 3/4" thick tempered glass; and, North American walnut with ebonized walnut slab legs.
Harvest Chairs – Tanned salmon skins are featured on the backs of these fully upholstered leather side chairs with solid North American walnut legs
Prow Coffee Table - the traditional Northwest Coast “dug out” canoe inspires the distinctive form of this coffee table. Featuring tanned salmon skin legs, high gloss lacquer whale motif with tempered glass and stainless steel standoffs.
Pacific Poufs – Multi-use, two-toned leather stools that are inspired by the traditional Northwest Coast feasting bowl shown in elevation with whale motif.
Salmon Drum Tables - The tanned salmon skins are sewn together to create luxurious occasional tables with solid 1/2" walnut tops.
Salish Throw & Cedar Basket - This eco-chic, hand-woven, 100% wool throw, has a hand-dyed and hand-spun red wool feature and otter fur detail. The cedar basket features hand-woven cedar that was harvested locally in Sechelt, B.C. Both pieces share the unique diamond twill pattern found in traditional Coast Salish weaving.
Swim Wall Panel - Oyster coloured salmon skin backing, with white high gloss lacquer finish whale motif and solid walnut frame.
Thunderbird Chair - A solid walnut armchair with hand-sewn Italian leather and diamond tufted detailing, reflecting the traditions of the past while speaking to the future of design.

“Sabina’s ability to integrate the tradition of Northwest Coast native culture with a contemporary design aesthetic demonstrates a powerful legacy of cooperation between two cultures,” says Renee Switzer, co-founder of SwitzerCultCreative.

The Harvest Collection is being sold exclusively through SwitzerCultCreative (mailto:http://switzercultcreative.com/products/sabina-hil...) (www.switzercultcreative.com), a Vancouver-based interior furniture company that focuses on modern, luxurious and sustainable collections.

Dr. George MacDonald, former president of the Bill Reid Foundation and current director of SFU’s Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, hails her work as “demonstrating the next phase in the development of Northwest Coast art and design.”

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About Sabina Hill
Born in Vancouver, B.C., Sabina is inspired by the ocean and forest culture of the Pacific Northwest region. Sabina graduated in architecture and established her design studio in 1993. She began to connect professionally with First Nations artists in 2000, as she sought to create works with a distinctly regional design aesthetic—envisioning a collaboration with those who have been bringing the spirit of the land to surface through art for thousands of years. Her work in collaboration with aboriginal artists celebrates the convergence of two distinct design cultures.

Media Contact:

Amanda Bates
Curve Communications
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Gina Vesnaver
Curve Communications
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