Jaloowa

Working primarily in yellow cedar, Jaloowa is a Salish (Nlaka’pamux) artist focusing  on sculptural carving with a particular interest in mask-making and panels. Drawn to the material for its ability to hold fine detail and produce clean, precise cuts, he continues to explore both yellow and red cedar as his primary mediums.

Jaloowa’s development has been shaped through mentorship with established Coast Salish artist Gerry Sheena, who introduced a deeper understanding of Coast Salish design principles. Further training with Phil Gray refined his attention to detail and symmetry, emphasizing precision in form and balance, particularly in the carving of masks and relief work.

Jaloowa’s earliest inspiration came from their late great-uncle, George ‘Chucky’ McKay, a carver who worked publicly on Robson Street in Vancouver alongside a group known as the “Robson Tribe.” Early exposure to this environment sparked a lasting interest in Northwest Coast carving. Additional inspiration comes from artists such as Klatle-Bhi, whose mask work continues to influence his aspirations.