Don Yeomans: Haida Spindle Whorl

Don Yeomans was born in 1958 in Prince Rupert, B.C. His father is Haida and his mother is Metis. He began learning carving at the age of 12 from his aunt, renowned artist Freda Diesing. In 1976 he travelled to Vancouver, B.C., to study in the Fine Arts program at Langara College, where he met Bud Mintz, an instructor at the college who encouranged him to make art his career.

In 1978 Don participated in the carving of four Haida interior house posts for Old Masset. He was supervised by Robert Davidson, his childhood idol who taught him much about wood and design. He was also fortunate to study jewellry-making from 1980 to 1982 with Phil Manze and Gerry Marks while he was living with the Janze family. Following this period, Don taught basic design and carving in the public school system before moving to Vancouver in 1986 to work on a totem pole commission with Bill Reid.

Don Yeomans has produced over 40 silkscreen prints since 1970, comprising some of the most innovative graphics on the coast. Some are classic Haida designs like "Raven with Sun", which was featured on the cover of Hilary Stewart's Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast. Some use complex designs from him Celtic heritage, like "Raven's Roots", and some are graceful, monocromatic motifs, like "The Runner".

Toward the end of the 1970s Don began to develop a unique personal style using negative formlines. Fine examples of this style are "Gunarh and the Whale" and "My Father's Victory". Don is also renowned for his work in gold, silver, and wood.

Some notable public collections housing Don's work include the Royal British Columbia Museum, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology, and the Seattle Art Museum.

$850.00 (Framed)