Chief Beau Dick Walas Gyum
Kwakwaka’wakw Hereditary Chief Beau Dick draws on a deep knowledge of ceremonial Kwakwaka’wakw culture, giving us face-time with the mythological with a pantheon of masks. At the same time, Dick mediates the space between aesthetics, social utility, and the art for sale condition. Beau Dick, acclaimed as one of the Northwest Coast’s most versatile and influential carvers, was born in Alert Bay, BC in 1955. Beau passed away in 2017, and he is greatly missed by all as a teacher, a legendary artist and storyteller, family man, and friend.
Exhibitions
- Neil Campbell / Beau Dick / Gigaemi Kukwits / Walter Scott, 2018
- Dick / Galanin / Njootli, 2015
- Altered States, 2014
- Ceremonial/Art , 2012
Survey of Work
Beau Dick, Installation view (detail), Lalakenis/All Directions: A Journey of Truth and Unity (16 January-17 April 2017) at the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, The University of British Columbia. Photo: Michael R. Barrick
Installation view (detail), Lalakenis/All Directions: A Journey of Truth and Unity (16 January-17 April 2017) at the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, The University of British Columbia. Photo: Michael R. Barrick
Lalakenis/All Directions: A Journey of Truth and Unity (16 January-17 April 2017) at the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, The University of British Columbia. Photo: Michael R. Barrick
Lalakenis/All Directions: A Journey of Truth and Unity (16 January-17 April 2017) at the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, The University of British Columbia. Photo: Michael R. Barrick
Lalakenis/All Directions: A Journey of Truth and Unity (16 January-17 April 2017) at the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, The University of British Columbia. Photo: Michael R. Barrick
Atlakin masks, cedar, bark, cotton, paint
The Ghost Con-fined to the Chair, 2012, 31“x13”x19”, chair, carving, documents, feathers
Beau Dick, Pookmis, 18″x26″, wood, feathers horse hair, paint.
Pookmis, 14″x33″, wood, horse hair, canvas, paint.
Shark Woman, 11″x 16″, wood, horse hair, paint.
Otter Man, 14″x 33″, wood, horse hair, paint.
Yagis, 15″x 22″, wood, horse hair, cedar bark, paint.
Sword of Toquit, 2012, 42″x 11″x 10”, cedar, cedar bark, paint.
Tsonaqua, 2012, 35” x 45” x 16“, cedar, paint, twine, horse hair.