Hummingbird - Silver Pendant
Hummingbird - Silver Pendant
2" x 1 1/8"
"The raindrop shaped hummingbird with flower pendant. It was a fun play with nature's shapes mixed with Northwest Coast native formline elements. Doing the flower in the style that I did, I feel gave the piece more depth, and added to the deep carving of the piece. Spring is seen as a new season and beginning, and this is why I like to add flowers to pieces as well as flowers being one of the hummingbirds main food source. " - Joe Wilson
This piece was created for the exhibition ‘Messages of Joy: Depictions of Hummingbirds in Northwest Coast Jewellery’ held at Lattimer Gallery between September 24 – October 8, 2022.
Joe Wilson
CULTURAL GROUP:
Kwakwaka'wakw (Namgis)
BORN:
January 14, 1966
BIRTHPLACE:
Alert Bay, BC
Joe R. Wilson (Hak’wesagame’) is a Kwakwaka'wakw/'Namgis artist born on January 14, 1966 in Yalis (Alert Bay, BC). He is the grandson of 'Namgis Hereditary Chief Alvin Edgar Alfred (K’odi U’dzistalis). At the age of 13, Joe took a design course with Doug Cranmer, but did not begin carving professionally until age 21, when he discovered and was deeply inspired by the works of master carver Chief Willie Seaweed. From 1996 to 1997, Joe led a team of carvers in the construction of a Kwakwaka'wakw style village at Dolfinarium Harderwijk, a marine mammal park in the Netherlands. Beyond his early training, he is largely self-taught. Whether he is carving wood, silver, copper, or gold, Joe is known for his intricate and detailed style.