Derek J. White

Haida Nation

Derek White was born and raised on Haida Gwaii. His father, Morris White, was a Chief of the Edinsu (Edenshaw) Eagle Clan of Kiusta until he passed away in 1997. Derek’s grandfather, Geoffrey White, was the grandson of the great carver, Charles Edenshaw. At a young age, his father gave up his career as a fisherman to become a full-time artist. He began carving silver, argillite, gold and wood.

Even with all the artistic influence in his house, Derek did not start carving until he finished high school. He carved small pieces, as well as helped his father and brothers carve a red cedar canoe and a carving shed. He was an apprentice under master carver Jim Hart in 1990 until 2000. He worked on several poles with him, including one in San Francisco and the Edenshaw Memorial Pole, which was raised in front of his Longhouse in August of 1999. Derek also worked extensively in his Longhouse, the Frog Constellation, on a large red cedar piece and some smaller projects. In 1995, he worked with his brothers Todd and Christian White and his brothers-in-law on the Cheif Edenshaw House Frontal Pole, which was carved and raised in 1995. This project was led by master carver Chris White.

In the year 2000, Derek worked in Skidegate for Tim Boyko and the Qay-llnaggay Heritage Centre Society on a pole that was raised in the Spring/Summer of 2001.

Derek is currently focusing on his art creating pieces in multiple media.

Exhibitions:

2004     Box of Treasures, a group exhibition at Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery, Vancouver, BC. November.

2005     Where the Spirit Gathers, a group exhibition at Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery, Vancouver, BC. November.

2006     Transcendence – a decade in perspective, Group exhibition at Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery. Vancouver, BC.

2007     Coastal Legacy, a group exhibition at Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery, Vancouver, B.C., November

2009     Haida Masterworks, Group exhibition at Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery. Vancouver, BC.

2013     Haida Masterworks II, Group exhibition at Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery. Vancouver, BC.

2017     Haida Masterworks III, Group exhibition at Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery. Vancouver, BC.