Focusing on a sometimes lesser-explored area of Northwest Coast art, Curve! Women Carvers on the Northwest Coast, on now at the Audain Art Museum in Whistler, puts the spotlight on the outstanding women Indigenous carvers of BC. Co-curated by Dana Claxton and Curtis Collins, this expansive exhibition is a testament to the rich local talent that exists across the province. Spanning over 127 pieces, visitors will get a sense of how tradition, craft, and personal expression have evolved over 70 years of artistry. From poles to panels, masks, bowls and more, each wood and argillite piece relates to the other in a fascinating lineage of traditional knowledge.
*All photography by Joern Rhode Photography
The show is an amalgamation of private collections across North America, with participation from carvers at various points in their artistic journey. Emerging, mid-career, senior and historic artists— the last category represented by three iconic Northwest Coast artists, Ellen Neel, Freda Diesing, and Doreen Jensen. The influence from these carvers alone has paved the way for countless artists after them, including the carvers shown in the exhibition.
Curve! shares stories of these artists, how their differing paths speak through their work, and how, through the act of expression, their paths converge once again. It’s a fascinating look at where a community has come from through history and the places it’s being pushed to next via a new generation.
Curve! Women Carvers on the Northwest Coast is currently on view until May 5, 2025
For more information about the show, visit audainartmuseum.com/exhibitions/curve
