Robert Jackson
Robert Jackson was born on July 12th, 1948, in Port Edward, British Columbia. He is the hereditary prince of the House of Haxbugwatxu, Fireweed Clan, in the Gitxsan Nation.
Growing up, Robert was close friends with the highly regarded artist, Dempsey Bob. Both artists attribute their childhood friendship, as well as the necessity to carve all their own toys, to their future career in the arts. In later years, they supported each other to explore their own personal and cultural styles.
In 1973, Robert enrolled in the newly established Kitanmax School of Northwest Coast Art and Design in Hazelton, British Columbia. His studies initially focused on wood carving, but later expanded into jewelry carving and printmaking as well.
From 1979-1984, Robert operated his own Indigenous art shop, Skyclan Art, which focused primarily on Pacific Northwest Coast art. After the shop closed, Robert took a six-year sabbatical from carving, during which time he travelled to Texas and met his wife, Hanna.
When Hanna returned to Hazelton with Robert in 1990, she was amazed by the art and history of the region. She encouraged him to return to his carving and Robert began an exploration into the Gitxsan portrait mask. This endeavor reconfirmed his position as a leader, innovator, and technician in Northwest Coast sculpture and design.