Haida Artist Bill Reid

Bill reid 1920 1998 was an acclaimed master goldsmith carver sculptor writer broadcaster mentor and community activist.

Haida artist bill reid.

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. Some of his major works were featured on the canadian 20 banknote of the canadian journey series 2004 2012. It represents the high. Bill reid lived from 1920 to 1998 and the coins are being released on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Bill reid was also a descendant of the great haida carver and silversmith charles edenshaw. 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. This coin is a gorgeous tribute to bill. 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.

He was born to two loving parents an american father of scottish and german descent and a haida mother. The royal canadian mint the royal canadian mint has launched a new toonie to commemorate the legacy. Working in many mediums he was a master goldsmith sculptor and writer. A visionary artist bill reid 1920 1998 is often credited with bringing haida culture to the attention of the whole world.

Bill reid was canada s most renowned contemporary native northwest coast haida artist. Reid spent much of his life reviving haida art techniques and heritage and became a member of the royal canadian academy of arts. William ronald reid jr. He was a master carver sculptor and goldsmith and was also a broadcaster and writer.

This journey of discovery lasted a lifetime and shaped reid s artistic career. 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. 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.

Let s start from the beginning.