The Artist
Philip Cote - Moose Deer Point First Nation
First Nation Affiliation: Ojibway, Potawatomi and Shawnee

A graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design and a co-originator of the Tecumseh Arts Festival for four years since June 2001, Cote has been at the forefront of a group of artists who are exploring new ways to imbue sculpture with traditional spriritual perspectives.  His work is available at a number of galleries across Canada and the United States, and he spends much of his time teaching soapstone carving to Native youth.  Cote's great-grandfather is the great-grandson of Tecumseh.  He is engaged in exploring the importance of this Shawnee leader's life and spirit.

The Plant Sculpture
Philip Cote initially created Thunderbird Transformation in clay.  He then favricated the large iron rod sculpted framework that contains the growing medium, sphagnum moss, which holds the plants.

The plants
Face: Ficus pumilla - Creeping Fig
Back and Eyes: Sagina subulata 'Aurea' - Cold Club Moss
Head: Hedera helix 'variegata' - Variegated English Ivy
Wing: Hedera helix - Green English Ivy
Medicine Wheel: Echeveria

The Gardeners: The sculpture was planted by Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff.  Participants from the Tumivut Earthkeepers program, a career development and horticultural trade apprenticeship preparation program for disadvantaged youth, assisted in the planting as part of their training.