Simon Charlie (Coast Salish, 1919-2005)
Seal Feast Dish
Wooden carved and stained feast dish depicting seal lying on back with tail flipped up, signed on bottom "Simon Charlie"
Provenance:
Purchased at Canadian Art, March 1970
Private Collection, B.C. (428)
Size in inches: 10.5 h x 27 w x 8 d
P20421
Coast Salish artist Simon Charlie was born in 1919 and was mainly self taught, beginning his career as a teenager when he began carving for a hobby. He worked with Henry Hunt at the B.C. Provincial Museum. He is known for several large sculptures which are placed along the highways of southern Vancouver Island, and his totems stand in the Royal B.C. Museum, the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, and in collections worldwide. In 1967 he received the National centennial Medal, and is a recipient of the Order of British Columbia. He mentors younger artists in traditional methods and is credited for passing on his knowledge and traditional designs, as well as his commitment to preserving his cultural heritage.