Wilson, Joe R

Joe R. Wilson was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia in 1966. His tribal affiliation is ‘Na_mg_is from ‘Ya_lis of the Kwakwa_ka_’wakw nations. He is a grandson of the late ‘Na_mg_is Hereditary Chief K’odi U’dzistalis (Alvin Edgar Alfred).

Joe began carving at the age of 21 after being inspired by the works of the late Master Carver Chief Hiłamas (Willie Seaweed).

In 1996, Joe began heading a large project in the Netherlands at the Dolfinarium Harderwijk which was completed in 1997. The project consisted of an entire Kwakwa_ka_’wakw style village, which encompassed the legends of K_umugwe’ the Chief of the Undersea Kingdom. In this amazing project, Joe and a coordinated team of carvers completed numerous traditional Kwakwa_ka_’wakw house front facades, accompanying totems and crest figures.

Joe continues to expand on his talents and has begun to carve beautiful silver and gold Jewellery.