Ben Davidson

Northwest Coast Native Artist Ben Davidson from Haida Nation

Haida Nation

1976-2020

Ben Davidson was the son of internationally renowned artist Robert Davidson. He specialized in three-dimensional artwork, such as forton casting and wood carving, although he had been expanding his practice to incorporate different mediums including jewelry and serigraphy.

At the age of sixteen Ben began carving in wood and later apprenticed with his father. He had also worked with well-known master carvers such as his uncle Reg Davidson and John Livingston.

Ben’s artworks can be seen in many of the top galleries in Vancouver. A recent piece of his was featured in the exhibition Raven Travelling: Two Centuries of Haida Art at the Vancouver Art Gallery in 2006.

Ben was an accomplished dancer and was an integral member of the Rainbow Creek Dancers. One of his key initiatives was to be an active participant in the Haida community through the mentoring of young artists and his constant exploration of the connection between his art form and ceremonial practice.

Works by this Artist (Present + Past + Public)

Present Works

View
  • Tide Walker [Framed]

    Ben Davidson

    Price upon request

    Serigraph, Edition 46 of 77

    2017

    Framed

    Ben Davidson’s Tide Walker is a remarkably expressive serigraph by one of the Northwest Coast’s foremost artists. The blend of traditional and contemporary formlines, as well as the use of rich and saturated colour, joins to create an aesthetic that is distinctly a Ben Davidson work.

    Below are the artist’s own words regarding this piece:

    “Tide Walker exists in the space between the land and the ocean. From afar, he appears as a dorsal fin, so we imagine his body beneath the waves. We are so desperate to be the first to see the killer whale that we allow our minds to complete his story before we have time to determine the truth. We are so swiftly lured into believing the surface story that we rarely take time to consider what lies beneath.” (Davidson, 2017).

    Ben Davidson is an internationally-renowned contemporary First Nations artist. He is the son of Robert Davidson, also of international fame. Ben stays true to his Haida ancestry, while always pushing the boundaries of traditional artwork.

  • Dogfish Mask (AP)

    Ben Davidson

    Price upon request

    Bronze Cast, Granite Base
    Artist Proof, Limited Edition I of I

  • Llgaay Gwii Sdiihlda (Restore Balance)

    Ben Davidson

    Price upon request

    Serigraph, Edition of 81

    2020

    Unframed

    (For inquiries on custom framing, please contact the gallery)

    “Llgaay Gwii Sdiihlda means to restore balance. According to my father-in-law, it applies when we are about to fall, but we manage to catch ourselves before we fall. I chose to name the print Llgaay Gwii Sdiihlda because I believe that even when we are in a state of uncertainty, we still have the ability to regain our balance.

    The print features an image of Sea Bear. Though there is not much information about him, I think of him as a protector of the ocean, which is symbolized by the blue. In Sea Bear’s mind, we can see the importance of finding balance in our lives. Sea Bear’s companion, Sea Ghost, can also be seen faintly in the waves in the background of this print. Sea Ghost represents our connections to our parents and our ancestors. In order to continue our journey forward, we must listen for the echoes of our ancestors who will help us restore balance in our lives.” – Ben Davidson, 2020

  • Supreme Echo (SP)

    Ben Davidson

    Price upon request

    Serigraph, State Proof II

    2018

    Unframed

    (For inquiries on custom framing, please contact the gallery)

    My father’s understanding of Greatest Echo, is that this supernatural being has the ability to echo the past and bring it into the future. We dance the Greatest Echo masks to remind ourselves of our responsibility to learn the knowledge of the previous generations and to make that knowledge meaningful in our daily lives.

    Yellow is echoed in each of these [designs]. It represents the knowledge of our ancestors. Our knowledge was strong before contact. It was passed from generation to generation without threat. Attempts to assimilate us and erase our identities through colonization resulted in our knowledge being muted; this was a dark period in our history. However, despite this, we continued to pass on our knowledge to our children.

    Today, our connection to this ancient knowledge is emerging once again. We must continue to move forward, but, as my tsinii told my father, ‘You have to look back once and a while to see where you came from, so you can always find your way back.’”

    – Ben Davidson, 2018

  • Echo (SP)

    Ben Davidson

    Price upon request

    Serigraph, State Proof I

    2018

    Unframed

    (For inquiries on custom framing, please contact the gallery)

    My father’s understanding of Greatest Echo, is that this supernatural being has the ability to echo the past and bring it into the future. We dance the Greatest Echo masks to remind ourselves of our responsibility to learn the knowledge of the previous generations and to make that knowledge meaningful in our daily lives.

    Yellow is echoed in each of these [designs]. It represents the knowledge of our ancestors. Our knowledge was strong before contact. It was passed from generation to generation without threat. Attempts to assimilate us and erase our identities through colonization resulted in our knowledge being muted; this was a dark period in our history. However, despite this, we continued to pass on our knowledge to our children.

    Today, our connection to this ancient knowledge is emerging once again. We must continue to move forward, but, as my tsinii told my father, ‘You have to look back once and a while to see where you came from, so you can always find your way back.’”

    – Ben Davidson, 2018

  • Tide Walker

    Ben Davidson

    Price upon request

    Serigraph, Edition of 77

    2017

    Unframed

    (For inquiries on custom framing, please contact the gallery)

    Ben Davidson’s Tide Walker is a remarkably expressive serigraph by one of the Northwest Coast’s foremost artists. The blend of traditional and contemporary formlines, as well as the use of rich and saturated colour, joins to create an aesthetic that is distinctly a Ben Davidson work.

     

    Below are the artist’s own words regarding this piece:

    “Tide Walker exists in the space between the land and the ocean. From afar, he appears as a dorsal fin, so we imagine his body beneath the waves. We are so desperate to be the first to see the killer whale that we allow our minds to complete his story before we have time to determine the truth. We are so swiftly lured into believing the surface story that we rarely take time to consider what lies beneath.” (Davidson, 2017).

    Ben Davidson is an internationally-renowned contemporary First Nations artist. He is the son of Robert Davidson, also of international fame. Ben stays true to his Haida ancestry, while always pushing the boundaries of traditional artwork.

  • Watchman Amulet

    Ben Davidson

    Price upon request

    22K Yellow Gold, Abalone shell, Cast
    Edition 4 of 5

     

  • 35. Raven and His Family Mask

    Ben Davidson

    Price upon request

    Cast Forton, Aluminum paint, simulated “Gun Metal” patina finish

    Limited Edition of 9

    Cast Forton is suitable for both outdoor and indoor display.

Past Works

The artist’s Past Works at our Gallery have now sold; however, a custom order may be possible if the artist is available and accepting commissions.

  • Frog Print by Northwest Coast Native Artist Ben Davidson