CULTURAL GROUP:
Kwakwaka'wakw

BORN:
May 1, 1991

BIRTHPLACE:
Alert Bay, BC

Cole grew-up on the Namgis reserve in Alert Bay, BC. His traditional name is A’Walas K’anis. Cole’s great grandfather was the late Chief John Speck of the Tlowitsis who was the father of the late Henry Speck Sr. He was also one of celebrated artist Beau Dick’s last apprentices. In 2010, Cole assisted Beau in carving the Pat Alfred Memorial Pole. In 2013, his work was included in the Bill Reid Gallery’s RezErect exhibition, and in 2014 he had one of his pieces included in the UBC Museum of Anthropology’s Claiming Space exhibition. He is an artist on the rise in the Northwest Coast art market and in high demand.