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Wood Model Pole by Native Artist Ellen Neel

Thunderbird Model Pole

Availability: Only 1 available

by Ellen Neel

Kwakwaka'wakw Nation

Red Cedar wood, Acrylic paint

Circa 1962

9 x 7 x 3" (22.86 x 17.78 x 7.62cm)

CA$1,800.00

Only 1 available

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Name: Thunderbird Model Pole
SKU: 116504
Price: 1800.00 CAD
Availability: InStock

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One of life’s most rewarding experiences is collecting fine art, and sometimes it’s best to take a little more time to make these acquisitions with ease. We understand and want to do everything possible to make collecting your next artwork more comfortable. At Coastal Peoples Gallery, we offer an interest-free layaway program and offer flexible terms which can be customized to your individual needs.

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Categories: Model Poles, Northwest Coast, Sculpture

Description
Additional Information
Artist Bio

Red Cedar wood, Acrylic paint

Circa 1962

Dimensions	9 x 7 x 3" (22.86 x 17.78 x 7.62cm)
Product Number	I-116504


Artist	Ellen Neel
Nation	Kwakwaka'wakw Nation
Description	1916 – 1966 Born in Alert Bay on November 14, 1916 to Charles Newman and Lucy Lilac James, Ellen Neel was a part of the Qui-qwa-sutinok tribe on Gilford Island and Kingcome Inlet. Her Kwakwaka’wakw name was Kakaso’las, which translates to “People Who Come to Seek Her Advice.” Famously, her grandfather was Charlie James and Mungo Martin was her uncle who was a renowned carver in his own right. As a young girl, she watched intently while her grandfather carved. When working with him at her side, she carved small totem poles and other items that were made for sale. In her early teenage years, she “had the spirit of carving” as her grandfather would say, and she collaborated on a book of designs with him that was commissioned by a local Vancouver art collector. She went on to quit school at 18 and, at 21, she met her husband, Edward (Ted) Neel. In 1943 married Ted Neel in her early twenties. During their marriage, they had six children who assisted with the family business. When Ted suffered his first stroke in 1946, this led Ellen to carve full-time eventually with Ted helping administer the business. In 1948, she was made Chief Carver for the Parks Board and given her own workshop in Stanley Park, Vancouver. As one of the first well-known Northwest Coast female artists, she was commissioned to carve the 16-foot totem pole placed outside of Brock Hall at the University of British Columbia campus in 1953. Later Doug Cranmer repainted the pole, treated for weather, which was moved to the front of the Student Union Building. Woodward’s Department Store commissioned her to carve a large pole in 1955, and the pole stands in Stanley Park’s Brockton Oval. Over the years, she trained her children to carve and during summertime they worked at their stand in Stanley Park. Ellen’s first breakthrough success in Vancouver was carving the Totemland pole for the Totemland Society. This resulted in Ellen establishing her trademark Totemland Pole design: a Thunderbird featuring a round, green-and-blue globe with a kneeling human figure. Ellen’s legacy is very much alive in British Columbia, and her monumental poles can be found throughout the Lower Mainland. Her grandson, David Neel, is a carver, jewelry artist, painter, photographer and author. Ellen Neel passed away on February 3, 1966 at the age of 50. Her carvings can be found in many important private and public collections.

Artist

Ellen Neel

Nation

Kwakwaka'wakw Nation

Description

1916 – 1966

Born in Alert Bay on November 14, 1916 to Charles Newman and Lucy Lilac James, Ellen Neel was a part of the Qui-qwa-sutinok tribe on Gilford Island and Kingcome Inlet.

Her Kwakwaka’wakw name was Kakaso’las, which translates to “People Who Come to Seek Her Advice.”

Famously, her grandfather was Charlie James and Mungo Martin was her uncle who was a renowned carver in his own right. As a young girl, she watched intently while her grandfather carved. When working with him at her side, she carved small totem poles and other items that were made for sale.

In her early teenage years, she “had the spirit of carving” as her grandfather would say, and she collaborated on a book of designs with him that was commissioned by a local Vancouver art collector.

She went on to quit school at 18 and, at 21, she met her husband, Edward (Ted) Neel. In 1943 married Ted Neel in her early twenties. During their marriage, they had six children who assisted with the family business.

When Ted suffered his first stroke in 1946, this led Ellen to carve full-time eventually with Ted helping administer the business.

In 1948, she was made Chief Carver for the Parks Board and given her own workshop in Stanley Park, Vancouver. As one of the first well-known Northwest Coast female artists, she was commissioned to carve the 16-foot totem pole placed outside of Brock Hall at the University of British Columbia campus in 1953. Later Doug Cranmer repainted the pole, treated for weather, which was moved to the front of the Student Union Building.

Woodward’s Department Store commissioned her to carve a large pole in 1955, and the pole stands in Stanley Park’s Brockton Oval.

Over the years, she trained her children to carve and during summertime they worked at their stand in Stanley Park. Ellen’s first breakthrough success in Vancouver was carving the Totemland pole for the Totemland Society. This resulted in Ellen establishing her trademark Totemland Pole design: a Thunderbird featuring a round, green-and-blue globe with a kneeling human figure.

Ellen’s legacy is very much alive in British Columbia, and her monumental poles can be found throughout the Lower Mainland. Her grandson, David Neel, is a carver, jewelry artist, painter, photographer and author.

Ellen Neel passed away on February 3, 1966 at the age of 50. Her carvings can be found in many important private and public collections.