 Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwagiulth) Master Carver, Bill Henderson, was born and raised in Campbell River, British Columbia, which is a small fishing community on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Bill was one of seventeen children born to culturally devoted parents, Sam and May Henderson. His father, an eminent Nak'waxda'xw Master Carver, was a loyal protector of ancient cultural traditions. He passed on his knowledge, stories and skills to his son, Bill. Bill began apprenticing with his father in 1957 at the age of seven, shortly after presenting his first grade teacher with his very first carving. That plaque was proudly displayed in his old elementary school for many years, and now resides in the Campbell River Museum. One of the most successful carvers of his time, Bill takes his role in the art world very seriously, and like his father before him, graciously passes on his knowledge and skills to many of his nephews. He also takes time to share his culture and art with the local community, reaching out to children of all ages. Bill often hosts school tours of the carving shed in which he works, and takes time to visit the local schools as a guest speaker or artist demonstration. Bill is very well known throughout the community by children, parents, local officials, and business owners as a kind, generous and talented man. With sixteen siblings, Bill emerged as one of the greatest carvers of his family and distinctively carries on the Henderson legacy within each piece he creates. His creations are rich with cultural heritage as he continually invents masks, plaques, wall panels, canoes, paddles and his infamous totem poles, which range in size from two feet to as high as forty-two feet tall. His medium of choice is red and yellow cedar, which he carefully chooses and turns it into a captivating work of traditional Northwest Coast art. He does this with homemade, traditional tools that he makes himself. Bill has been featured in many prestigious galleries throughout North America, and continues to send many of his pieces to other countries, including Japan, France, England and Germany. He is a wonderfully talented artist who inspires and awes with his unique style and traditional values. Initiated into the sacred Hamatsa society in 1983, Bill's influence is also found in the continuation of traditional potlatch ceremonies. Many of his masks are prominently used by skilled dancers during the potlatch ceremony, displaying a long-celebrated tradition and way of life for the Kwakwaka'wakw people. Bill continues to be inspired by his late father, Sam Henderson Sr., and the late Willie Seaweed. He takes the lessons he has learned over half a century and mentors up and coming young artists. By taking the time to teach the younger generation, Bill ensures that the art of the Kwakwaka'wakw people will live on and others will get to experience its beauty and magnificence. |
