John Wilson was born in 1973 in Kitimat, British Columbia and comes from the Haisla nation. His crest is Killerwhale. His family moved to Terrace, BC in 1980, and he has lived there ever since. John says he has always been an artist at heart but didn’t learn how to carve until his late twenties. He was taught primarily by Tsimshian artist Heber Reece, but he’s also completed courses at the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art in design and carving. John remembers being so amazed by paintings and regalia at a very young age. His influences are Robert Davidson, Dempsey Bob, Don Yeomans, Tom Eneas, and Klatle-Bhi (and many more). His favorite medium is wood but also does original acrylics and prints and plans to try out other mediums like jewelry in the future. John has had commissions with the Spirit of the Kitlope Dance Group from the Haisla nation which is used for the traditional songs and dances. The commissions are Eagle
mask, Killer Whale mask, two Beaver masks, and two Raven masks.
Artist Statement: I believe that every piece of art that I produce is part of me. I put my heart and my soul into everything I create, which is why art is so important to me. I take it very seriously and will continue to do so. Art is a very important step I took in my life and will always have respect for it because it has guided me to the right path in life.
Information provided by Hill’s Native Art, Vancouver, B.C.
