In the wings

Introduced by Adidas in the late 70s, 26 pairs of Orion blue runners were donated to what millions of Canadians have come to know as The Terry Fox Marathon of Hope.

In 2025, artist Sean George purchased a pair of these 45th Anniversary runners and was greatly moved to find a copy of Terry’s original typed letter to Adidas asking for their sponsorship tucked inside the package.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Sean George sees life through a telephoto lens to the inner workings of everyday people and their importance to the living world.

In classic style he describes his step-father Ernie Young working for an upholstery company for over 30 years. Quiet in a crowd, we find a consistent frugal provider. With a true passion for feeding birds and an enthusiasm for the natural world before him, his insights and pockets are always full.

Sean’s mother Irma Young was born to the Caribbean island nation of Trinidad. With its vibrant Carnival and steel-drum rhythms, residents are renowned for their infectious laughter. Irma’s father farmed fruits and vegetables. Her mother was a deeply spiritual woman and storyteller.
Spiritual herself, Irma has taken up the mantle of storytelling. Sharing narratives of her small village, she brings ancestors to life describing characteristics and antics with boisterous energy and love.

A make-up artist, hairdresser and cook, Irma’s favourite dishes are the traditional salt-cod, anything to do with curry and a wide assortment of Italian delicacies.

Sean lived with his grandparents in Vancouver, British Columbia and spent summers with his mother and step-father in Ontario. When he turned 14 he moved from B.C. and settled in with them permanently.

In elementary school, Sean loved to run! Like some school aged children, he suffered growing pains in his legs that sometimes kept him up at night. In this case, the pain did not go away or lessen as he aged.

It would take many years and trips to various doctors with his mother pleading for Sean to see an orthopedic surgeon. Sean eventually learned he had a large but benign tumor in his right leg. He dodged a bullet. (Sean’s father’s cousin died of the same cancer as Terry Fox.)

In higher education, Sean excelled in the visual arts community. A bicycling city, much of his free time was spent meditating at Vancouver’s Light House Park. https://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/
lighthouse-park/. When Sean’s mom visited, they’d sit by the rocks, view the ocean, walk around the little cove and have a picnic there.

From his early years in Trinidad, Sean is now deeply aware of the country’s struggles with Colonialism. He may well be a historian, having a profound understanding of the benefits and challenges of British and American influence. His vision of culture was inspired by it.

After 9/11, Sean found his voice. Fearful of where the world was going, he learned what was truly important. Making art wasn’t the same as making money. In his own words, “things can change overnight-just like that.” Hired through a federally assisted apprenticeship program, Sean worked at the Vancouver Art Gallery for 15 years as an art educator.

Sean’s focus in photography led to a passion for archival research: documenting traditional stories and symbols into collaged, photo-based art. At various solo exhibitions, Sean’s work brought the colours of history and contemporary life together with the contrast of lost shopping carts punctuating issues of identity.

From the largest to the smallest of us, watching people achieve lures an aperture of 360°. Exploring the nuances of audience, Sean guides area students, senior groups and Gallery visitors through the carousel of his vision. It feeds him.

Uncomplicated in his own skin, Sean holds the same presence everywhere he goes. This unabashed confidence is infectious and appealing.
In the spirit of history, community, culture and the arts, it’s Terry in the wings.

From his letter: “…the whole world needs people who believe in miracles. May we all take strength for a cause; as emotionally reserved for the world of miracles, some barriers cannot be overcome alone.”

Lisa Gray Story for December 2025
Copyright © August 2025