Contact: James Loucky, Department of Anthropology professor, (360) 650-3615, James.Loucky@wwu.edu

BELLINGHAM – Renowned First Nations artist Robert Davidson will offer a public presentation titled “Robert Davidson, Haida Artist: A 40 Year Perspective” at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, in Academic Instructional Center West Room 204 on the Western Washington University campus.

Robert Davidson will present a retrospective of his work since carving and helping to raise totem poles on Haida Gwai (the Queen Charlotte Islands off of the North Coast of British Columbia) in 1969, the first Haida poles to be raised in 85 years.  Davidson will also share his experience as part of the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of that experience.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

As an artist and community leader, Robert Davidson is a significant figure in bridging tradition with the future, as well as with peoples throughout North America and the world. Davidson has been an artist for more than 30 years; he began his carving career at age 13 and continues to explore a range of techniques and Haida traditions. He has produced internationally acclaimed works that are featured in a variety of public and private collections and has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Order of Canada.

The residency with Robert Davidson is sponsored by Western's College of Fine and Performing Arts in conjunction with the Department of Anthology, Center for Canadian-American Studies, Fairhaven College and Lummi Youth Academy.

For more information, please call (360) 650-3615.

Robert Davidson (Raven Stealing the Moon, 1977, silkscreen print. Seattle Art Museum. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Hatch, 82.87)