Read more
Ask Haida artist and hereditary chief 7IDANsuu James Hart how long it took him to master the art of carving, and he’ll tell you: “Around ten thousand years.”Hart has achieved national prominence and international acclaim for his towering poles, stately cedar sculptures, and massive bronzes—monumental works that extend the long continuum of Haida visual traditions into powerful new forms. Since his early days assisting Robert Davidson and Bill Reid, through his reproductions of historical Haida poles and his carving of original house front, story, and memorial poles for private commissions and clan-based contexts in Haida Gwaii and beyond, he has developed an innovative practice rooted in tradition, and widely celebrated: thousands of people gathered to witness the raising and activation of his
Reconciliation Pole; his
Three Watchmen bronzes overlook the Audain Art Museum, National Gallery of Canada and the Plains of Abraham; and
The Dance Screen (The Scream Too) in Whistler is considered a once-in-a-generation sculptural masterpiece.
This, the first publication devoted to Hart, is both a survey of his major career achievements and a document of an impossible-to-assemble exhibition. Alongside hundreds of photos of nineteen monumental works and associated smaller carvings and bronzes scattered across North America and Europe, and drawing on over two years of interviews with the artist, Curtis Collins illustrates how key animal and supernatural figures reappear across scales and mediums, from jewellery to sixty-foot poles (the “backbone” of his practice), and speaks to the associated activation ceremonies as integral to Haida monumental art. Wade Davis considers Hart’s expressions of Haida resilience within the people’s long history, from time immemorial to the nation’s present-day efforts towards national sovereignty; Gwaliga Hart offers a personal perspective on his father’s work; and in an autobiographical essay the artist himself reflects on his life, and his life’s work.
About the author
7IDANsuu James Hart is a renowned Haida artist and Hereditary Chief from Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. He apprenticed with artists Robert Davidson and Bill Reid, honing his technical skills in carving, jewelry making, and European bronze casting techniques. His work often reflects Haida stories and addresses environmental concerns while exploring contemporary themes of cultural identity and reconciliation. His monumental works are featured in both private and public collections across Canada and internationally. Notable creations include
The Dance Screen (The Scream Too) (2010–13), on display at the Audain Art Museum in Whistler; and
Reconciliation Pole (2017), installed at the University of British Columbia. Hart’s contributions to the continuation and evolution of Haida art has been widely recognized; he was awarded the Order of British Columbia in 2003, the Order of Canada in 2023, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.
