Sculpture – Mike Salisbury

Landscape of Love

These twin paddles, depict a mesmerizing sunrise over mist-shrouded mountains and lush forests. Commissioned as a set of wedding paddles for a honeymoon canoe trip, they evoke the enduring allure of the wilderness, of the awe-inspiring beauty found in nature’s embrace.
Year – 2018
Materials – wood, epoxy
Size – 11x70x2” 28x178x5cm

Feather

This feather-shaped paddle reflects my journey towards reconciliation and grappling with the romanticized portrayal of First Nations culture perpetuated by the colonial narratives of my youth. An exploration of biomimicry, I explored canoe paddle hydrodynamics by emulating avian aerodynamics.
Year – 2021
Materials – wood, leather string
Size – 11x70x2” 28x178x5cm

Stained Glass

This wooden paddle, its blade intricately split and mended with twigs of its own species, mirrors a stained-glass window. It weaves a visual tale that juxtaposes fragility with resilience, where the fragility of twigs fortifies the break weaving a visual tale of unity, strength, and the beauty of renewal.
Year – 2020
Materials – wood, epoxy, twigs
Size – 11x70x2” 28x178x5cm

Crooked Arrow

This commission, crafted from the finest bird’s-eye maple, showcases a luxurious, swirling grain pattern that seems to dance across the surface, creating a captivating visual texture. The wood’s natural luster is enhanced through a meticulous finishing process, resulting in a gleaming, smooth surface that feels as good as it looks.
Year – 2020
Materials – wood, epoxy,
Size – 11x70x2” 28x178x5cm

Pool of Grief

This 350-meter land art installation along the Speed River Trail in Guelph weaves reclaimed wood into a winding path, culminating in the Pool of Grief. The circular space symbolizes nature’s quiet power to absorb sorrow, renewing itself through unbroken cycles of decay and rebirth.
Year – 2024
Materials – branches, logs and sticks
Location – Speed River Trail, Guelph
Coordinates – 43.503203, -80.255008

Contour Park Kickstarter Campaign

A bold statement against environmental exploitation, Contour Park responds to greenbelt conservation, emphasizing the urgent need for moraine preservation and environmental advocacy. Its innovative use of fieldstones to trace the land’s morphology not only conserves groundwater but also sets a precedent, using art to protect the landscape.
Year – 2023
Materials – reclaimed limestone, earthworks
Location – Guelph ON

Bateau Island Stone Circle

Nestled in a remote wilderness, this piled stone circle merges with the untamed landscape, a silent homage to nature’s raw beauty. It stands as a meditative space, inviting solitary reflection amidst the elements, a bridge between the earthly and the sublime, untouched by time’s relentless march. Private commission.

Cube Town

Imagine a whimsical world where Jane Jacobs meets Piet Mondrian! With playhouses that mix and match in dazzling colors and designs, every day is an adventure. Peek through a window—or hey, why not hop out?—and join the fun in moving houses around, making teamwork the game of the day!
Year – 2018
Materials – shipping pallets, acrylic paint
Location – Toronto ON