Four stylized metal relief sculptures of human faces are mounted on a concrete wall. Each sculpture is triangular with a wooden base, featuring distinct facial designs and expressions. The sculptures are arranged in a row, showcasing a mixture of curved and angular shapes, with varying details and features. A small plaque is visible to the right, providing additional information.

Susan Point, Written in the Earth, 2000, cast aluminum and red cedar. SFU Art Collection. Gift of the Salish Weave Collection of George and Christiane Smyth, 2018.

Dale Northey
Four stylized metal relief sculptures of human faces are mounted on a concrete wall. Each sculpture is triangular with a wooden base, featuring distinct facial designs and expressions. The sculptures are arranged in a row, showcasing a mixture of curved and angular shapes, with varying details and features. A small plaque is visible to the right, providing additional information.

Title

Written in the Earth

Artist

Susan Point

Year

2000

Medium

Cast aluminium and red cedar

Collection

SFU Art Collection

Donor

Gift of the Salish Weave Collection of George and Christiane Smyth

Year Acquired

2018

Installed in Saywell Hall’s atrium at the northeast corner of the Academic Quadrangle on SFU’s Burnaby campus is Written in the Earth, four aluminum and cedar works by Susan Point. The designs, featuring faces flanked by animals, represent the diversity of world cultures.   

Artists

Susan Point (1952–) is a Coast Salish artist from xʷməθkwəy̓əm Nation. She’s produced a number of prominent works for public sites including Musqueam Welcome Figures (1996) and Flight (Spindle Whorl) (1995) at the Vancouver International Airport and People Amongst the People (2008) at Brockton Point in Stanley Park. Her work is held in many public and private collections and she has been the recipient of numerous honours and awards including an honorary degree from Simon Fraser University.