Small wooden totem pole carved by Sammy Robinson. It has a square base with, in order, a raven (holding a fish in its beak), a bear, and a frog atop. The wood is light brown in colour (possibly yellow cedar) and has been finished but not painted. Nails in bottom.
Small wooden totem pole carved by Sammy Robinson. It has a square base with, in order, a raven (holding a fish in its beak), a bear, and a frog atop. The wood is light brown in colour (possibly yellow cedar) and has been finished but not painted. Nails in bottom.
Physical Condition
Excellent
Material
Wood (yellow cedar?)
Technique
carved
Culture
Haisla
Height
33.5 cm
Width
9 cm
Length
8.5 cm
Inscriptions
"KITAMAAT BC," "SR" on back
Date Range
[1970s-1980s?]
Accession Number
2024.9.1
Biographical Notes
Sammy Robinson (b. 1934) is a master Haisla carver and hereditary chief from Kitamaat, B.C.
Painting by Paul Windsor; acrylic paint on a rectangular piece of red cedar. Various figures, including a young Haisla man singing and playing a drum, are depicted in a variety of colours: brown, red, black, reddish-brown, turquoise, light green, orange, and white.
Windsor describes this piece as "an illustration of a young person singing and drumming the songs alive. Behind him, embedded in the Earth, are his ancestors. Music notes emanate from his presence as he drums and sings. His drum, also the Moon in the Sky, is also woven with a Raven, representing that history and the Legend of the Moon, and the Blackfish, killer whale and fish clan crest design, representing our Matriarch passage."
Painting by Paul Windsor; acrylic paint on a rectangular piece of red cedar. Various figures, including a young Haisla man singing and playing a drum, are depicted in a variety of colours: brown, red, black, reddish-brown, turquoise, light green, orange, and white.
Windsor describes this piece as "an illustration of a young person singing and drumming the songs alive. Behind him, embedded in the Earth, are his ancestors. Music notes emanate from his presence as he drums and sings. His drum, also the Moon in the Sky, is also woven with a Raven, representing that history and the Legend of the Moon, and the Blackfish, killer whale and fish clan crest design, representing our Matriarch passage."
Paul Windsor is a Haisla and Heiltsuk artist born and raised in Kitimat and currently based in Vancouver. He specializes in paintings on wood and paper, and has also created designs for many different commercially-available products.
Wooden totem pole carved by Henry Robertson. Figures from bottom up: small humanoid held by a bear, humanoid head with tall hat, bear with frog in mouth, humanoid head with eagle on top. The base is square. The wood is dark brown with a very prominent grain. The figures are partially painted in shades of reddish-brown, green, and black.
Wooden totem pole carved by Henry Robertson. Figures from bottom up: small humanoid held by a bear, humanoid head with tall hat, bear with frog in mouth, humanoid head with eagle on top. The base is square. The wood is dark brown with a very prominent grain. The figures are partially painted in shades of reddish-brown, green, and black.
Physical Condition
Good
Material
Wood
Technique
carved
Culture
Haisla
Condition Remarks
A few minor scuff marks on base. Nose of one of the figures chipped off but has been repaired. The bottom of the base has some cracks in it, and the wood is starting to be discoloured around the nails.
Height
65 cm
Width
14.5 cm
Length
15 cm
Inscriptions
"HR", "KEMANO B.C." on back
Date Range
[1970s-1980s?]
Accession Number
2024.9.2
Biographical Notes
Henry Robertson (1934-2016), aka Ga-ba-baawk, was a Haisla carver from Kemano/Kitamaat, B.C.
Painting by Paul Windsor; acrylic on red cedar. Rectangular in shape with slightly rounded top and bottom edges. Depicts animal and human figures in yellow, brown, reddish-brown, and black. Sides of painting are black. Back of painting has a metal wire for hanging.
Painting by Paul Windsor; acrylic on red cedar. Rectangular in shape with slightly rounded top and bottom edges. Depicts animal and human figures in yellow, brown, reddish-brown, and black. Sides of painting are black. Back of painting has a metal wire for hanging.
Physical Condition
Excellent
Material
cedar
Technique
painted, hand
freestyle brush
Culture
Haisla
Height
3 cm
Width
34.5 cm
Length
56 cm
Inscriptions
"The Trail of the Wildest. (C) Paul C.E. Windsor 2018. Generation Haisluk."
Date Range
2018
Accession Number
2022.38.1
Biographical Notes
Paul Windsor is a Haisla and Heiltsuk artist born and raised in Kitimat and currently based in Vancouver. He specializes in paintings on wood and paper, and has also created designs for many different commercially-available products.
Rectangular wooden plaque with carved MIYA (fish) in the center. The frame is of dark red cedar, while the miya is of lighter-coloured alder. Corners are rounded. Back has a thread strung between two hooks in order to hang it. Piece is an example of Wilson's early carving that made use of scrap wood from larger projects.
Rectangular wooden plaque with carved MIYA (fish) in the center. The frame is of dark red cedar, while the miya is of lighter-coloured alder. Corners are rounded. Back has a thread strung between two hooks in order to hang it. Piece is an example of Wilson's early carving that made use of scrap wood from larger projects.
Physical Condition
Good
Material
cedar
alder
Technique
carved
Culture
Haisla
Condition Remarks
Two scrapes in the wood - one on the upper frame and one on the background above the back fin - caused when case lid fell on it while being lowered by staff, March 6th 2024.
Some scratches in the wood on the back.
Height
2 cm
Width
20 cm
Length
35.3 cm
Date Range
1992-1994
Accession Number
2021.9.3
Biographical Notes
Lyle Wilson (b. 1955) is a Haisla artist from Kitimaat Village. His repertoire includes wood carving, painting, metalworking and glassworking. His art has been sold and displayed across North America, Europe, and Asia.
