He has received many honours for his accomplishments, including: An Inspire Award (formerly, the National Aboriginal Achievement Award) in art and culture, an Order of British Columbia an Order of Canada, the Governor General’s Award for Visual Arts, the Audain Prize for Lifetime Achievement Award in the Visual Arts, and numerous honorary degrees from universities in Canada and the US. In 1967 he enrolled in the Vancouver School of Art (predecessor to the Emily Carr University of Art and Design), a place he credits for developing his drawing. Through Reid, he met anthropologist Wilson Duff and artist Bill Holm, and continued to learn about the Haida art. In 1966, while demonstrating his carving work at Eaton’s in Vancouver, Robert met the late Bill Reid, who then coached him on sculpture and design for the next eighteen months. Ironically, this move allowed him to learn more about the arts of the Haida Nation, through visits to the Vancouver Museum to see stunning artworks collected from Haida Gwaii. In 1965, Robert moved to Vancouver to complete his education at Point Grey Secondary School because his local community did not have a secondary school. Robert began carving at the age of 13 when his father insisted, he carry on the family artistic tradition. From an early age, Robert was surrounded by fine carving as both his father, Claude Davidson and grandfather, Robert Davidson Sr. While he was growing up, tangible culture heritage had virtually disappeared in Massett. His great grandfather was the famed Haida artist, Charles Edenshaw (1839 – 1924) whose superb artworks were well known in the Haida community and collected and displayed in showrooms internationally, during the era before Haida culture was painfully silenced by the government. Robert was born to a particularly notable family of artists. His inspiration was to give his elders a chance to celebrate culture in a way they had not been able to in their lifetimes. He has been responsible among other things for carving and raising the first totem pole in his hometown of Massett in nearly 90 years when he was just 22 years old. Robert’s passion to revive and perpetuate a variety of forms of Haida cultural expression, including song, dance and ceremony, has fuelled his remarkable output throughout the years. His work is found in several private and public collections including the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Canadian Museum of History in Hull, Quebec, the Southwest Museum in Los Angeles. New documentary profiles renowned Haida artist Robert Davidson - CBC.For more than fifty years now, Robert has worked as an artist and has produced an internationally acclaimed body of work. Haida Modern captures beauty in work and life of great artist - The Vancouver Sun Haida Modern beautifully explores how Robert Davidson brought Haida culture back to its people - The Globe and Mail New film highlights the artwork and activism of Indigenous trailblazer - CBC.ca Winner: Audience Choice Award for Best Canadian Film, Available Light Film Festival Winner: People’s Choice Award, Vancouver International Film Festival Winner: Best Canadian Film, Festival International du Film sur l'Art Produced by Tina Schliessler and Charles Wilkinson 50 years since Davidson carved the first totem pole on Haida Gwaii in a generation, his work has lead to a revitalization of Haida culture and to him being regarded as one of the greatest living artists in the world, with many of his works being considered modern masterpieces. Directed by Charles Wilkinson and executive produced by Kevin Eastwood, Haida Modern tells the story of legendary Haida artist, Robert Davidson.
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