Haida Artist Bill Reid

The royal canadian mint the royal canadian mint has launched a new toonie to commemorate the legacy.

Haida artist bill reid.

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. Bill reid was also a descendant of the great haida carver and silversmith charles edenshaw. 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. Obc rca 12 january 1920 13 march 1998 haida was a canadian artist whose works include jewelry sculpture screen printing and paintings.

Bill reid 1920 1998 was an acclaimed master goldsmith carver sculptor writer broadcaster mentor and community activist. A visionary artist bill reid 1920 1998 is often credited with bringing haida culture to the attention of the whole world. Some of his major works were featured on the canadian 20 banknote of the canadian journey series 2004 2012. Working in many mediums he was a master goldsmith sculptor and writer.

Bill reid was born in victoria bc on january 12 1920 and passed away from parkinson s disease on march 13 1998 in vancouver b c. This coin is a gorgeous tribute to bill. He was born to two loving parents an american father of scottish and german descent and a haida mother. It represents the high.

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. Let s start from the beginning. 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. Bill reid was canada s most renowned contemporary native northwest coast haida artist.

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. William ronald reid jr. He was a master carver sculptor and goldsmith and was also a broadcaster and writer. Reid spent much of his life reviving haida art techniques and heritage and became a member of the royal canadian academy of arts.

The royal canadian mint launched commemorative coins tuesday to honour haida artist bill reid.