Erich Glendale
By Lattimer Gallery
Posted in News, on September 16, 2020
We are excited to be carrying a selection of new works by Kwakwaka’wakw artist, Erich Glendale. Erich was born in Campbell River, BC and now lives in Port Alberni. He has been carving since 1990 and he strives to promote and preserve Kwakwaka’wakw design. While many of the subjects and methods Erich works from are traditional, and inspired by historical Kwakwaka’wakw objects, he does enjoy experimenting with composition. His work often displays delicate knife-texturing and fluid, flowing lines. In 2006, Erich began working with silver and gold under the guidance of Nuu-chah-nulth artist Gordon Dick. He began experimenting with repoussé and chasing in 2009. In 2010, Erich helped Gordon Dick carve a 23-foot pole that was commissioned to commemorate the survivors of the Port Alberni Residential School. Recently, he has been striving to diversify his woodcarving and woodworking techniques, and this spurred him to work with established carver, Kevin Cranmer.
“In the summer of 2019 I completed a mentorship with celebrated Kwakwaka’wakw carver Kevin Cranmer. One of the skills I wanted to learn was how to do articulating elements in masks. We chose to create three pieces: a Raven Headdress, a Sea Monster mask, and a Kumugwe mask…all with articulating jaws. Kevin recalls a great deal of trial and error over the years perfecting these techniques and wanted to pass them on to me in the most efficient way possible.” – Erich Glendale
Erich’s new pieces can be seen on our website. They include the three pieces described in the quote above, as well as several decorative rattles and a yellow cedar paddle.