Edition Size: 150 signed and numbered, 15 artist's proofs, 15 remarques, 2 printer's proofs

   Paper Size: 28 x 76 cm, 11 x 30 inches

   Publication Year: 2022

Spirit of Renewal is Rachel Smith's first limited edition silk screen print.

"Renewal, regeneration and transformation are themes that underlie this print. In this piece, salmon trout head and salmon egg designs represent the transition between worlds from spirit into physical form, and from physical form into spirit. To me, the salmon’s life cycle can be seen as a symbol that affirms the gifts of regeneration through birth and death.
This piece shows the spawning cycle of the salmon’s life. The circles depict the gravel rock beds that salmon lay their eggs in. Hues of electric blue and navy celebrate the process of birth and renewal while white is chosen to represent the ethereal, mysterious and transient nature of life."
- Rachel Smith
This limited edition silk screen print titled "Spirit of Renewal" by Rachel Smith was hand produced by the screen printing process. It is the only limited edition printing of this

design. The artist has inspected and signed each copy in the edition. The printer has destroyed all trial copies and obliterated the printing stencils.

Rachel Smith ai̓xcemǧa was born in Nanaimo B.C. on Vancouver Island. At a young age, her family moved to Vancouver where she grew up and is currently based.

Rachel is proud of her diverse and rich cultural heritage. She has connections to Kwakwa’kawakw and Wuikinuxv First Nations on her father’s side and feels connected to her Greek heritage on her mother’s side.

Rachel grew up watching her grandfather, father, and uncle carving and painting. Although she has been immersed in Northwest Coast art all her life, she has more recently begun a formal career with her own art and imagery. She apprenticed with her father, Steve Smith, and she introduced her first pieces to the public in 2019.

Rachel takes inspiration from her passion for education and Indigenous rights and values, as well as her love of the natural world. Rachel enjoys weaving traditional Northwest Coast formline elements in with contemporary and minimalist aesthetics. She delights in the creative process and is guided by a desire to respectfully carry forward the tradition of art in her family while expressing herself and her stories through art.

Rachel has completed her Associate of Arts degree in Peace and Conflict Studies and is currently a student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a Bachelor of Education Degree with an Indigenous specialization in NITEP, the Indigenous Teacher Education Program in The Faculty of Education.