Sullivan Hall Archives - West Coast Curated

Sullivan Hall

6306 152 St, Surrey, BC

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may, 2025

01febAll DayKihl ‘Yahda Christian White: Master Haida Artist(All Day: saturday) 639 Hornby StreetEvent Type:ExhibitionAdmission Type:Ticketed

Event Details

This exhibition is the first major solo exhibition of Haida artist Kihl ‘Yahda, Christian White. Guest curated by Sdahl Ḵ’awaas, Lucy Bell, also of the Haida Nation, the exhibition features artworks that span the entirety of Christian’s 50-year career, as well as collaborative works from several of his apprentices.

Christian White is of the Yahgulaanas Haida Raven Clan. Influenced by his father Chief Edenshaw, Christian and his family have been major forces in keeping the Haida culture, art and language alive. Early highlights of his career include the creation of a 35-foot pole with his father, and the carving of a sculpture titled Raven Dancer, which was purchased by the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, BC, when he was only 22 years old and the recent Tluuwée Kwiiyaas, a 52-foot canoe.

He is best known for his intricate argillite carvings, inlay work and monumental works. Christian also creates wood-carved masks and boxes, gold and silver jewelry, and steamed cedar canoes. He began carving argillite at fourteen and has been working as a full-time artist since the age of seventeen. In 2005, Christian constructed a traditional longhouse in his home village of Old Massett which is the home of Tluu Xaada Naay Society and dance group.