
Christian White, Eagle Mask, 2022. | Photo courtesy of Bill Reid Gallery and Christian White
“Each piece has a story behind it – an adventure, really,” says White. “Creating is about being brave enough to make your own adventure.”
The exhibition, which also features collaborations with eight apprentices, will run from now to Feb. 1, 2026 at the Bill Reid Gallery. All audiences are invited to honour Haida culture, spectate a wide range of art mediums and experience the rich history behind White’s pieces.
Stories in stone
From sculptures to regalia, White’s exhibition will display the culmination of half a century’s worth of art.
As a young boy, White grew up watching his father carve on wood, whale bone and argillite. He was inspired by his father’s creations, but also the vibrancy of traditional Haida art. The erection of the first totem pole in Old Masset, Haida Gwaii, in 1969, was one of young White’s sources of inspiration and awe, moving him to explore the arts. Argillite, a fine black stone found only on the mountainous ranges of Haida Gwaii, quickly became White’s preferred medium. By observing his father’s work, White created some of his earliest carvings, which will be showcased in the exhibition.
“Some of the earliest pieces in the exhibition I did when I was 12 years old,” the artist says. “My father would give me different pieces of material to carve, such as whale bone or argillite, and I would try to emulate what he was doing.”
The process of argillite carving is extremely gratifying for White – but it also possesses its challenges. The trek to retrieve the stone can be quite arduous, as White and his team must hike riverside up along the mountain to the quarry. Once arrived at their destination, he and his team extract large chunks of argillite using hand saws, which they then latch onto backpacks and carry down the mountain.
“Only our people gather argillite, and it’s quite the trek,” the artist reflects. “Most of the time you’re balancing on one foot, so it can take several hours to complete the journey. It’s a trial of life, really.”
The stone is then coated in waxes and oils to maintain its moisture, aged, then shaped into the detailed carvings.
With argillite, White is inspired by stories of his ancestors. The connection between the Haida land and history of his people guides his carving, allowing him to celebrate the beauty of Haida Gwaii through artwork while preserving its rich heritage.
“It’s like a moment in history we’re writing down on the sculpture,” says White.
From hand to hand
After the passing of his father, White decided to mentor apprentice artists, sharing his knowledge not only of carving but also of dance, song, painting and more. Excited to share the beauty of Haida culture with younger generations, White also understood the challenges of an unstable income as an artist.
He then secured funding to employ teams of young Haida artists, collaborating with them on artwork that will be featured in the upcoming exhibition. Following in the footsteps of his father and ancestors, White’s legacy lies in honouring his heritage by passing on his knowledge to family and fellow artists.
“As our ancestors said, ‘If I had anything to give my descendants, it would be my hands,’” he adds.
A recent endeavour of White and his apprentices was carving bentwood boxes for his repatriated ancestors. White retrieved the remains of over 500 Haida ancestors, which he laid to rest in the carved boxes before returning them to their homeland of Haida Gwaii.
White wants younger generations to recognize that destiny is not fixed nor predetermined. Each of his art pieces reflects an adventure, of which he demonstrates the power of choice and perseverance in carving one’s path and shaping a meaningful legacy.
“Adventures never stopped, and that’s what I try to express to the young people. We still have the ability to make history,” he says.
White hopes his exhibition both extends his gratitude to his supporters and resonates with a broader audience.
“We’d like to see more people come to Haida Gwaii to appreciate the culture and the arts,” he adds.
For more information, please visit: www.billreidgallery.ca/blogs/exhibitions-page/kihl-yahda-christian-white-master-haida-artist