Cabinetmaking Techniques alumnus creates art that embodies Indigenous resilience and healing
Jan. 3, 2025
While most stories we read are printed on paper or displayed on a screen, Solomon King, a Georgian Cabinetmaking Techniques alumnus (class of 2018) and Saugeen Ojibway Nation artist and craftsman, takes a different approach using wood, stone and even glass to convey his compelling narratives.
Carvings, sculptures and other works
Solomon combines his creativity and heritage to create timeless pieces that preserve and celebrate Indigenous stories and traditions, and after more than two decades, his artistic mastery and storytelling continue to garner widespread acclaim.
Solomon King, an Indigenous artist and craftsman, unveiled his turtle sculpture at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto in 2024.
How he’s distinguishing himself…and his art
Starting his career as a stone mason using techniques passed down through generations and gained during his time at OCAD University, Solomon sought to expand and evolve his skills and set himself apart.
After watching carpenters and cabinetmakers in action on job sites, Solomon enrolled in the Cabinetmaking Techniques certificate program in 2018 to learn how to work with wood directly and incorporate this material into his creations.
Georgian was the last missing piece of the puzzle for me. I’ve always wanted to work with wood but had never given myself that opportunity. With the new hands-on skills and techniques that Georgian provided, I was able to blend my sculpture and design background with my experience in stonemasonry and now woodworking to become a truly well-rounded artist, craftsman and business owner, telling stories that not only captivate and inspire but inform and educate.
Healing through Indigenous storytelling and artwork
Putting this training into practice through his stonemasonry company, Stone Artisan Studios Ltd., Solomon has become highly sought-after for those seeking art that goes beyond and far deeper than aesthetics to tell stories of cultural significance.
From prominent installations at the University of Toronto to his one-of-a-kind display case for the sacred Eagle Feather used at Georgian’s convocation celebrations, Solomon continues to redefine how traditional craftsmanship intersects with contemporary art and cultural preservation.
As his reputation rose, so did the number of projects he undertook, with the largest recently unveiled at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square in 2024. As part of a nationwide response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 82, Solomon was enlisted to create a sculpture that would recognize and commemorate the victims and survivors of Canada’s residential schools. The final product – a 10-tonne limestone snapping turtle representing strength and resilience – is now a permanent fixture along with other works in the Square’s new Spirit Garden.
What’s next for the Indigenous artist
There’s no end to the powerful storytelling the esteemed Indigenous artist and Georgian alumnus has become known for.
Solomon will soon take on new projects in Collingwood and at Toronto’s waterfront while continuing to impart his expertise and passion to aspiring stonemasons following in his footsteps.
Kevin Weaver, President and CEO, Georgian College, shakes hands with Solomon King, an Indigenous artist and Cabinetmaking Techniques alumnus.
His journey exemplifies the transformative power of interdisciplinary learning, a cornerstone of Georgian’s commitment to education.
By combining two distinct specialties to craft thought-provoking creations, he is telling stories that will endure in the Canadian consciousness for generations and contribute to a lasting legacy of Indigenous culture and stories nationwide.
Solomon was a 2024 Premier’s Awards nominee in the skilled trades category.
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Published Friday, Jan. 3, 2025