Haida Art Bill Reid

Haida art was something that contemporary northwest coast artist bill reid embraced on a trip to haida gwaii in 1954.

Haida art bill reid.

Bill did not elect to study art in high school but he did recall a young substitute teacher jack shadbolt who read poetry and introduced kandinsky style drawing to his class of 8th graders. But who was bill reid and how did someone who referred to himself as a maker of things rather than an artist or activist invigorate the visual language of the haida nation. The royal canadian mint the royal canadian mint has launched a new toonie to commemorate the legacy. This was the beginning of bill s lifelong journey of exploring the rich tapestry of the haida culture.

Reid was born in victoria bc to a haida mother and an american father with scottish german roots and only began exploring his haida roots at the age of 23. Obc rca 12 january 1920 13 march 1998 haida was a canadian artist whose works include jewelry sculpture screen printing and paintings. X 7 7 8 in. Bill ronald reid a carved silver cuff bracelet depicting haida eagle salmon and bearded man inscribed to the back to bill in gratitude bill reid 79.

Bill reid gallery on the new toonie the mint is delighted to add the story of bill reid s pivotal role in raising awareness of haida art and the traditions and culture it represents to the long list of circulation coins celebrating what makes us proud to be canadian royal canadian mint president and ceo marie lemay. The bill reid gallery was named after the acclaimed haida artist bill reid 1920 1998 who was a master goldsmith carver sculptor writer broadcaster and spokesman. The royal canadian mint launched commemorative coins tuesday to honour haida artist bill reid. Bill reid was also a descendant of the great haida carver and silversmith charles edenshaw.

Bill reid s name is synonymous with west coast indigenous art haida art in particular and a new gallery exhibition is paying homage to the influence of the esteemed sculptor and goldsmith who. Some of his major works were featured on the canadian 20 banknote of the canadian journey series 2004 2012. Let s start from the beginning. A visionary artist bill reid 1920 1998 is often credited with bringing haida culture to the attention of the whole world.