CULTURAL GROUP:
Nuu-Chah-Nulth (Ditidaht)

BORN:
June 5th, 1967

BIRTHPLACE:
Seattle, Washington

William (Bill) Kuhnley Jr. was born in Seattle, Washington and raised on Vancouver Island. Bill is the son of well-known model totem pole carver, Bill Kuhnley Sr. and Josie (neé Williams) Kuhnley, who comes from a long line of carvers. Bill has worked on many pieces with both his mother and father. in 1994, Kuhnley completed a four-year apprenticeship with renowned Haida artist, Robert Davidson, who he worked with later as an assistant on Robert’s commissioned poles. Throughout his career, William has also worked and collaborated with various artists, such as Larry Rosso, Reg Davidson, Ben Davidson, Francis Horne, and Ned Matilpi. His work has been featured globally in the acclaimed exhibition Totems to Turquoise: Native North American Jewelry Arts of the Northwest and Southwest and his work is held in the permanent collection of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.