artist statement

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Artist Biography of Carol Young

Tsiij git’anee, of the eagle clan of Masset on the beautiful islands of Haida Gwaii

My Haida heritage, the inspiration and the passion for my art

When I started sculpting in 2001 my thought was just to make extra income to help raise my four children. I did not expect to be called an artist, and did not expect the response my characters receive. A friend of mine took three pieces of my art to the Gallup, New Mexico Intertribal and one of my first pieces won first in it's division. It was then that I committed to a career as an artist. I have created over 250 characters to date.
I try to use natural, traditional materials for the regalia. I have learned a small amount of weaving from books and do simple capes etc. with the cedar bark. The melton wool button blanket designs are my own. I was taught wood and argilite carving by my Nephew Lawrence Knowles and carve simple miniature masks in alder wood and cedar and miniature pendants in argilite.

2001 Traditional Treasures online gallery was created
         Aboriginal Voices 1, Muir Gallery, Courtenay, BC
         Gallup New Mexico Intertribal Art Show. Placed first in my division with piece "Cultural            Genocide"
         Muir Gallery Xmas Show

2002 Juried show "Making Waves". Received opportunity to show at the BC Festival of the             Arts, Surrey, BC
          Art award from First Peoples Cultural Foundation to create piece for the BC Festival of           the Arts
          BC Festival of the Arts, Surrey, BC. Showed the piece "Woman's Traditions"

2003 CTV interview for First Stories
Art Award from First Peoples Cultural Foundation. Explored watercolors painting. Produced five paintings in a series called "Dancing for our Ancestors"

2004 Aboriginal Voices 3, Muir Gallery, Courtenay
Touch the Earth , juried art Exhibition, Campbell River , best in show in 3 dimensional art for "Elder's Feast"
2006 VADA (Visual Artist Development Award) A juried award to expand my sculture into kiln fired clay.

Galleries that have sold my art

<>     Dechutes Gallery, Bend Oregon,
         Lighthouse Gallery, Victoria, BC
         Prancing Pony, Coombs, BC
       I-Hos Gallery, Comox, BC
       Batoche Gallery, Quadra Island, BC
         Copper Moon Gallery, Nanaimo, BC
         Valley Visions, Courtenay, BC
         Valley Native Arts, Courtenay <>


Online galleries: Taylyn Native Arts and Westward Studio,    Little Bear Arts

<> My art is in the homes of people in Maryland, Kansas, Alaska, California, New York, Washington, Washington DC, British Columbia, England, Poland, Quebec, Alberta, and many others

I am grateful for the gifts the creator has gave me and try to give back by donating my art to groups who assist others in bettering their lives. The best gifts are given freely, with no expectations, and my best moments are to personally give a piece of my art to a child... an elder...   This is my way of honoring their lives... their spirit...     Their smiles are priceless.

It is my belief that the knowledge we acquire is to be given away, and I look forward to any opportunity to share with others the knowledge and skills the creator has gifted to me!

Howa
Carol Young (nee Bagshaw)