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A living legacy of Northwest Coast art

  • Aug 13, 2020
  • History
  • 5 minutes read
From carving his first totem pole to sharing knowledge with his final apprentice Gwaai Edenshaw, Iljuwas (Bill Reid) grew to become a true inspiration to the next generation of Northwest Coast artists. Following in his footsteps, this group of carvers, jewellers, sculptors, and painters keep his legacy alive through their beautiful work. Here’s a brief look at what he meant to them:
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Bill McLennan. Courtesy UBC Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver
From carving his first totem pole to sharing knowledge with his final apprentice Gwaai Edenshaw, Iljuwas (Bill Reid) grew to become a true inspiration to the next generation of Northwest Coast artists. Following in his footsteps, this group of carvers, jewellers, sculptors, and painters keep his legacy alive through their beautiful work. Here’s a brief look at what he meant to them:
Bill Reid working with Guujaaw (Gwaai Edenshaw's father), Skidegate, 1976. Photography by Ulli Steltzer. Bill Reid working with Guujaaw (Gwaai Edenshaw's father), Skidegate, 1976. Photography by Ulli Steltzer.