Coghlan Studio and Gallery - Aldergrove, B.C., Canada
Sept. 15, 2001 - Mar 15 2002
http://www.coghlanart.com
The show is online at http://www.coghlanart.com/robert.htm
The show page will be linked to the rest of the web site on
Sept 15
Robert Davidson: Retrospective Of A Haida Printmaker
Robert Davidson was one of the first northwest coast native artists to
apply two dimensional design to limited edition prints. As a
young artist he learned to cut his own screens and hand pull prints from them.
His firsteditions were not numbered or signed. In 1970 he began numbering and
signing his editions. He progressed from single color prints of traditionalHaida
crest designs to two color original images developed from his ownwork in wood
and silver. Today Davidson, along with his jewelry and wood carving,
produces multicolored prints of contemporary Haida images. He is
considered amongst his peers as the premier artist of the
northwest coast art form. This collection consists of over
40 examples of Robert Davidson's early
printmaking.
Thank You
Bryant Ross - Coghlan Art
Robert Davidson is widely acclaimed as the consummate Northwest Coast
Native Artist, a master
in every medium: gold, silver, wood, argillite, paper.
At an early age, Davidson began carving under the tutelage of his father, the late Claude
Davidson,
Chief of the Village of Massett. Davidson's great grandfather was renowned turn of the
century
Haida artist, Charles Edenshaw. Much of Robert Davidson's cultural history of the Haida
was
passed on to him by his paternal grandmother, "Naanii," Florence Davidson.
Florence Davidson
was raised in the old Haida ways and upon her death at the age of ninety-six took with her
ancient
knowledge.
Robert Davidson has always taken seriously his trusteeship of his Haida knowledge and much
of the focus of his life has been in reclaiming the artform and the old songs and stories.
Davidson is an
accomplished singer and drummer. With his younger brother, Reg, he founded the Rainbow
Creek
Dancers, which performs at major ceremonies and potlatches.
In March of 1997, the Order of Canada was bestowed upon Davidson by the Governor General
of Canada and during the same month the Royal Canadian Mint released a
22 Kt gold coin in the
image of his masterpiece entitled, Raven Bringing Light to the World.
The four colour serigraph, Looking Back at Where We Came
From was inspired by the artist’s reflecting upon the new
millennium and the inherent wisdom of not forgetting past
experiences. The print shows his use of traditional imagery
and form line combined with innovation on an impressive
graphic scale. Frog imagery has been a constant theme in his
art over the years and has been described as a “spirit
helper” to his work. The energy of the Frog, able to move at
the slightest whim, is responsive to changing environments and
situations. His first Frog print was created in 1968 and since
that time, he has refined the image in a variety of two and
three dimensional media with increasing elegance and
sophistication. A true Davidson trait.
ROBERT DAVIDSON is one of Canada’s most respected and
important contemporary artists. A Northwest Coast native of
Haida descent, he is a master carver of totem poles and masks
and works in a variety of other media as a printmaker, painter
and jeweler. He is also a leading figure in the renaissance of
Haida art and culture. Robert Davidson is best known as an
impeccable craftsman whose creative and personal
interpretation of traditional Haida form is unparalleled.
Robert Charles Davidson, whose Haida name is -Guud San
Glans (Eagle of the Dawn), was born November 4, 1946 in
Hydaburg, Alaska. He moved with his family to Massett on Haida
Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) in 1947 and lived there until
1965 when he moved to Vancouver to complete his education at
Point Grey Secondary School. It was here that he first learned
the fundamentals of silkscreening. In 1966 he met Bill Reid
and soon after, began an eighteen month appreticeship that
launched his career as an artist. Through Reid, he met
anthropologist Wilson Duff, artist Bill Holm and learned much
about the Haida people and their art. In 1967 he enrolled in
the Vancouver School of Art, a place he credits for developing
his drawing and design skills.
Robert Davidson was surrounded by fine carving from an
early age as both his father, Claude Davidson and grandfather,
Robert Davidson Sr. were respected carvers in Massett. His
great grandfather was the famed Haida carver Charles Edenshaw.
Robert began carving at the age of 13 when his father insisted
he carry on the family artistic tradition. Since that time, he
has continued to explore the carved form in a variety of
traditional and non-traditional media including bronze. He is
now the consummate Haida artist whose strong rhythms and
personal style are immediately recognizable and sought the
world over.
For more than thirty years, Robert Davidson has worked as
an artist and has produced an internationally acclaimed body
of work. His work is found in a number of important private
and public collections including the National Gallery of
Canada in Ottawa, the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Canadian
Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec, the Southwest Museum
in Los Angeles and of course, the Artists For Kids Gallery in
North Vancouver. He has also received many honours for his
accomplishments. In 1995 he received the National Aboriginal
Achievement Award for his contribution to First Nations art
and culture. He holds honourary degrees from the University of
Victoria, Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, the Southern
Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and, the Emily Carr
Institute of Art and Design in Vancouver. He has received the
Order of British Columbia and in 1996, was awarded the
prestigious Order of Canada.
click
the thumbnails for more information
Human (1971)
Grizzly Bear (1973)
Killerwhale Fin (1973)
Raven and Fetus (1973)
Beaver (1969)
Thunderbird (1970)
Killerwhale (1975)
Raven finned Killerwhale
(1975)
Raven , Broken Beak and
Blind Fisherman (1971)
Killerwhale (1970)
Sea Monster (1976)
Killerwhale (1973)
Chest End Design
(1970)
Sea Bear Box Front (1969)
Sea Bear Box Back (1969)
Feather Design #1 (1972)
Feather Design #2 (1972)
Feather Design #3 (1972)
Feather Design #4 (1972)
Most of these feather designs are
available in both black and beige backgrounds.
Feather Design #5 (1972)
Wolf Box Front
(1972)
Wolf Box Back
(1972)
Raven with Broken Beak
(1975)
Moon #1 (1978)
Moon #2 (1976)
Moon #3 (1976)
Eagle (1969)
Beaver (1972)
Split Beaver (1975)
Thunderbird (1970)
Negative and Positive
Dogfish (1969)
Untitled
Change of Address
Sara's Birth Announcement
Exhibition Invitation
Dogfish
Bentwood Box
Raven with Broken Beak
Transformation
Benjamin's Birth
Artists for Kids Trust,
810 West 21st Street, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7P
2CI, Canada
Telephone (604) 903-3797 Fax: (604) 903-3778
Email: info@artists4kids.com
