August 2, 2024 - June 15, 2025

North Shore artist Robert Turriff conceived & designed this work of interactive temporary public art to inspire dialogue on the impacts of climate change & the importance of environmental stewardship & restoration through a collaborative planting project.

A friendly creature of the land, the Grassquatch is a 7' tall sculpture composed of steel, shade cloth & pockets of soil who needs our help growing his 'hair'. Throughout August, the community was invited to plant native grasses into the sculpture's soil pockets covering the Grassquatch. As the project progresses, the Grassquatch came to life, becoming fuller & vibrant as it is covered in grass/hair.

The grass used, carex pachystachya, is a drought tolerant grass that grows naturally throughout the West Coast in a variety of grassland & forest habitats. Participants had to opportunity to learn about native grasses suitable for sustainability in light of climate change, raising awareness of the benefits of using & preserving native plants.

Creating something unique & beautiful together as a community reminds us of the cooperation necessary to safeguard our planet. Seeing the Grassquatch's hair grow in a tangible way as a group effort, reminds us to work together to maintain & care for the environment around us.

Grassquatch debuted Friday, August2 to the public with artist Robert Turriff, who shared his inspirations & artistic process. The first community artists planted the Grassquatch's 'hair'.
Kolten Grant, Squamish, Icelandic, St'at'imc, Kwakwaka'wakw & Tlinglit artist performed a blessing song to commemorate the  unveiling.

Community Collaboration Events 

Every weekend in August, the community was invited to be a part of the creative process & help Grassquatch come to life by planting native grasses into the sculpture. Every week, as more grass was planted & continued to grow, the Grassquatch became a verdant, eye-catching figure in the park that was irresistible to visitors.

About the Artist

Robert Turriff grew up playing in the forests of North Vancouver, developing an early fascination with plants & forests. He shares a love for gardening with his wife, & together, they have cultivated a remarkable garden. Robert began his sculpting studies with a studio art diploma at Capilano University. He entered the world of film, working as a sculptor's assistant & learning from accomplished colleagues & classically trained sculptors from Europe, the UK, & the USA. His film experience included building sets, ranging from futuristic spaceships to Egyptian-themed environments & everything in between. While working in film, Robert often replicated elements such as trees, rocks, & caves. 

Seeking to expand his artistic horizons, he took a break from the film industry & pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from the Alberta University of the Arts. As a mature student with hands-on skills, he effectively utilized his expertise to create large-scale installations. After completing his BFA, Robert returned to the film industry but found its demands unsustainable. Subsequently, he transitioned to working with other artists & established his own studio practice. Currently, Robert focuses on creating welded art. He has had the opportunity to assist many world-renowned artists in the creation of their artwork. He now works at UBC in the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, assisting students in the creation of models to full-sized design builds. 

The West Vancouver Community Arts Council gratefully acknowledges the following for their partnership & support of the 2024 Community Art Project