Children of Yesterday in recognition of traditional lands of the Blackfoot and Métis
In 2021, the Federal Government established September 30 as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day was enacted to remember and honour the lives lost and forever impacted by the residential school system in Canada.
Vilem Zach's bronze statue of a woman and her two children is meant to recognize the traditional lands of the Blackfoot and Métis people in this area. The sculpture was unveiled on December 10, 2010.
Children of Yesterday by Vilem Zach is located in the Native Gardens at Bow Valley Ranche.
The woman watches her step carefully as she descends from the hill behind her. One child is by her side, while the other is bundled on her back. This sculpture is part of the Artisan Corner in the Native Gardens, located in Fish Creek Provincial Park's Bow Valley Ranch area. It was the second bronze artwork to be unveiled
About the Artist
Vilem Zach was born on October 23,1946 in Prague, Czech Republic. Where he had spent numerous years studying art. Finding life unrewarding under communist rule, he left his homeland in 1969 and moved to Canada.
Once in Canada, Vilem was able to transform his passion of art into a full-time profession, realizing his dream of painting the North American Indian and their culture. With each painting he strives for a high standard of accuracy and feeling. His work also consists of candid, yet detailed paintings of the western heritage. After his experience with working on canvas he decided to experiment with three dimensional
bronze sculptures, for which he is now internationally recognized.
Currently residing in Calgary, Alberta, Vilem has exhibited with the world-famous Calgary Exhibition and Stampede since 1977. Many of his life size statues and heroic size monuments can be seen at numerous tourist attractions, and in private collections.
Vilem Zach definitely earned his standing with the bronze sculpture works of the famous and the elite artisans both past and present.
