Condolences have been pouring in for family members and friends following the death earlier this month of famed Penelakut Coast Salish artist Gus Modeste. He was 44.

Modeste had been living in Duncan in recent years to be close to doctors and the hospital while dealing with diabetes, heart problems and other health issues.

含羞草研究社淎 very talented artist,含羞草研究社� said Penelakut band administrator Jim Chisholm. 含羞草研究社淚 met him a few times, a real nice fellow.含羞草研究社�

Modeste grew up on Galiano Island and spent a few years in Nanaimo before going to live with his dad on Penelakut and attended Chemainus Secondary School where he honed his craft as a carver.

含羞草研究社淗e got a lot of encouragement from Walter Stoochnoff, a teacher there,含羞草研究社� said Modeste含羞草研究社檚 aunt Connie Crocker. 含羞草研究社淭hat含羞草研究社檚 where his life of carving began.含羞草研究社�

Modeste also drew inspiration from carver Francis Horne. A totem Modeste did stands as a legacy at the entrance to the high school.

Along with Doug August of Cowichan, Modeste did carvings for the site marker and nose of the aircraft that was sunk off Chemainus 14 years ago on January 14, 2006 to become a diving reef.

His carvings and prints can be found all over the world, including Brussels, Belgium.

One of Modeste含羞草研究社檚 most loved works, known as Mother含羞草研究社檚 Love, is a powerful interpretation of orca J35 from the southern resident killer whale population and her offspring.

He also did magnificent canoe designs, including one for his own Penelakut village.

含羞草研究社淗e had such a natural talent for drawing and carving,含羞草研究社� said Crocker. 含羞草研究社淚t just really developed and it seemed to happen so easily. He was just so talented.

含羞草研究社淚 think about him personally, I never had a boring conversation with him,含羞草研究社� she added. 含羞草研究社淗e was always very interesting to talk to. He had pertinent things to talk about and he was also very funny.含羞草研究社�

Comments poured in on social media as news of Modeste含羞草研究社檚 death spread.

含羞草研究社淗e opened my eyes to some of his views without effort,含羞草研究社� noted Shane Harper. 含羞草研究社淚 very much enjoyed some of his perspectives.含羞草研究社�

He did phenomenal work,含羞草研究社� Wes Bissett indicated.

Rainforest Arts on Willow Street in Chemainus is hoping some of his work will surface from his studio and proceeds of any sales will go to his family.

含羞草研究社淗e had a collection of work that he had been preparing,含羞草研究社� noted Crocker.

含羞草研究社淗is work is a gift to the world,含羞草研究社� added Kathy Wachs of the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society. 含羞草研究社淗is character was strong and sweet. Condolences to the many who love him.含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淗e lives on through his art,含羞草研究社� Hanna Miskiman remarked. 含羞草研究社淐ondolences to the family.含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淭his is such sad news,含羞草研究社� offered Tammy Baines. 含羞草研究社淕us was such a kind person and so talented.含羞草研究社�

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