| Artists Statement |
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© David Neel
Some artists search for the direction of their work and others are born to it. I am of the latter category. My father, Dave Neel Sr., was a contemporary Native sculptor and painter in the 1950’s. He was taught in the traditional Kwagiult manner by his mother, Ellen ...more |
| Kwakiutl Thunderbird & Grizzly Bear Legend |
| © David Neel
In the time of myths, when all the creatures of the Earth were beginning to learn the manner of living, a man decided that he would build himself a large house. He devised a type of house that would hold all his extended family, and used the material which was a...more |
| Contemporary paintings - Ancient legends |
| © David Neel
The paintings of the Legend Series represent a new direction in my work. Coming from a family of Kwagiutl artists and having apprenticed in the traditional way, I have come to believe that art, even traditional art, will always move forward and cannot be held back. I be...more |
| The Great Canoes |
| © David Neel
This book is about a journey: the journey of many nations, the journey of the great canoes of the First Peoples of the Pacific Northwest.
These majestic vessels, crafted from a single log often hundreds of years old, all but disappeared early in this centur...more |
| Our Chiefs & Elders |
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© David Neel
The following essay is the introduction to the book, Our Chiefs and Elders: Words & Photographs of Native Leaders.
Published by Douglas & McIntyre / University of Washington Press
When I set out to photograph the Native leaders of British Columbia, ...more |
| Edward S. Curtis - Photographer |
| © David Neel
Edward S. Curtis is a legendary photographer and his conviction to his work is well-known; a great and impassioned artist. Though, his life-long photo essay on the North American Indian will be forever flawed by the basic premise of his work.
He believed tha...more |
| An Artistic Legacy |
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Ellen Neel carving a Thuncerbid totem pole with the help of her family.
Photographs of Kwakiutl carvers: Dave Neel Sr., Ellen Neel, Mungo Martin, Charlie James
One of my earliest childhood memories is the pungent aroma of ...more |
| Bob Harris |
| Bob harris wearing dance regailia which he carved.
Chicago Field Museum Artifact 85800
Photograph taken- June 1904
When you see the work of Kwakiutl artist, Bob Harris, you can’t help but ask; how can this artist be unrecognized after ...more |
| Charlie James |
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CHARLIE JAMES - Kwakiutl Master Carver
(1875 - 1938)
Years ago, when I was a young carver learning about my culture, I was in the Bronx, New York exploring the collection at the Museum of the North American Indian (formerly the Heye collection), when I found a large and impressiv...more |
| Mungo Martin |
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Mungo Martin - A legend among Northwest Native Carvers
(1881 - 1962)
In 1957 Mungo Martin was commissioned by the province of British Columbia to care a one hundred foot totem pole, as a centennial gift for the Queen England.
&n...more |
| Ellen Neel |
| Ellen Neel - the First Female Northwest coast Native carver
1916 - 1966
Ellen Neel totem pole at Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC.
This iconic totem pole has been published and reproduced so many times over the years, th...more |
