Spirit Vision Conception
First Nations artists from this group share their heritage by providing traditional and non-traditional designs of spiritual and mythological creatures. Their unique “Spirit Vision” illustrates the subtle differences between artists of different B.C. first nations.
The Artists
William Barr – Kwakwaka’wakw Nation
William is a descendant of the Kwakwaka’wakw people of the Nimpkish band in Alert Bay. His great grandfather was Chief Joe Harris. William grew up in Alert Bay. His trade was fishing but he gave it up to become a full time artist. His work is traditional yet he has a distinct style of his own. William resides in Courtenay and works out of a studio in his home.
Leanne Helin – Tsimshian Nation
Leanne was born in Price Rupert in 1964. She is the daughter of Arthur Helin who was Hy’emass of the Gitgeese tribe. In 1988 Leanne apprenticed with her brother Bill learning engraving techniques in Tsimshian native designs. Leanne works independently designing, finishing and promoting her own line of jewelry from her home studio in Nanoose Bay. Leanne has become one of the foremost female jewelry designers from the North Coast
Charlie Johnson – Kwakiutl Nation
Charlie was born in 1964 and is from Kingcome Inlet. He began carving in 1980 at the age of 15. Charlie was inspired by his father and his own desire to explore the culture and the art form.
Charlie has carved with Simon and Beau Dick and also Joe Peters. He has also taken art classes through North Island College. Charlie’s Bear Mask was included in a recent article in National Geographic. His carvings are beautifully intricate with fine attention to detail. The designs are bold and strong.
Randy Price – Haida Nation
Randy was born in Queen Charlotte City on Graham Island and raised in the nearby village of Skidgate. Although many of his ideas come from Haida myths and traditional Haida themes, he also experiments with new ideas. His unique designs are fluid and a great deal of attention is paid to the effects of negative space around his images.
Henry Speck – Kwakwaka’wakw Nation
Henry was born in Alert Bay and raised on Turnour Island in the Blackfish Sound region of B.C. He learned the lore and details of traditional Kwakiutl designs from his father, the famous Henry Speck Sr. As a wood carver of ceremonial masks, he is a living legion. His celebrated creations can be found in museums and private collections throughtout the world. The designs which he has contributed to this collection reflect both his own and his deceased father’s unique spirit vision.
Wedlidi Speck – Kwakwaka’wakw Nation
Wedlidi was born in Alert Bay, B.C. in 1953. The artistic expression of Wedlidi is influenced by the complexity of spiritual history and images of the Kwakiutl people. Wedlidi began paining in 1988 and has been strongly influenced by his late uncle Henry Speck Sr. Wedlidi is a contemporary thinker, blending traditional art forms with new mediums and merging First Nation designs with non-traditional images.
Edison Thomas – Nuu-chah-nulth Nation
Edison was born in Victoria, B.C. in 1978 and raised in Ahousat on the west coast of Vancouver Island. He is a self taught graphic designer who began seriously drawing in the spring of 1996. Edison is a young and coming artist and at this time does not have a long list of artistic kudos. His designs are elegant and unique. Art is his lifeline and he hopes to share it with his young son.
Troy Hardy – Salish Nation
Troy was born in Comox, B.C. in 1977. He was introduced to carving and drawing by his grandfather, Ernie Hardy. Troy is passionate about his art and would like to make it his life’s work. He is presently furthering his education by enrolling in arts courses at North Island College.
Andrew Puglas – Kwakwaka’wakw Nation
Andrew is from Campbell River, B.C. He is our youngest and newest artist. Andrew is currently studying art at Emily Carr in Vancouver.