7IDANsuu James Hart: A Monumental Practice

Ask Haida artist and hereditary chief 7IDANsuu James Hart how long it took him to master the art of carving, and he'll tell you: "Around ten thousand years." Hart has achieved national prominence and international acclaim for his towering poles, stately cedar sculptures, and massive bronzes-monumental works that extend the long continuum of Haida visual traditions into powerful new forms. Since his early days assisting Robert Davidson and Bill Reid, through his reproductions of historical Haida poles and his carving of original house front, story, and memorial poles for private commissions and clan-based contexts in Haida Gwaii and beyond, he has developed an innovative practice rooted in tradition, and widely celebrated: thousands of people gathered to witness the raising and activation of his Reconciliation Pole; his Three Watchmen bronzes overlook the Audain Art Museum, National Gallery of Canada and the Plains of Abraham; and The Dance Screen (The Scream Too) in Whistler is considered a once-in-a-generation sculptural masterpiece. This, the first publication devoted to Hart, is both a survey of his major career achievements and a document of an impossible-to-assemble exhibition. Alongside hundreds of photos of nineteen monumental works and associated smaller carvings and bronzes scattered across North America and Europe, and drawing on over two years of interviews with the artist, Curtis Collins illustrates how key animal and supernatural figures reappear across scales and mediums, from jewellery to sixty-foot poles (the "backbone" of his practice), and speaks to the associated activation ceremonies as integral to Haida monumental art. Wade Davis considers Hart's expressions of Haida resilience within the people's long history, from time immemorial to the nation's present-day efforts towards national sovereignty; Gwaliga Hart offers a personal perspective on his father's work; and in an autobiographical essay the artist himself reflects on his life, and his life's work.

About the Author :
7IDANsuu James Hart is a renowned Haida artist and Hereditary Chief from Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. He apprenticed with artists Robert Davidson and Bill Reid, honing his technical skills in carving, jewelry making, and European bronze casting techniques. His work often reflects Haida stories and addresses environmental concerns while exploring contemporary themes of cultural identity and reconciliation. His monumental works are featured in both private and public collections across Canada and internationally. Notable creations include The Dance Screen (The Scream Too) (2010–13), on display at the Audain Art Museum in Whistler; and Reconciliation Pole (2017), installed at the University of British Columbia. Hart’s contributions to the continuation and evolution of Haida art has been widely recognized; he was awarded the Order of British Columbia in 2003, the Order of Canada in 2023, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. Curtis Collins is the Director and Chief Curator of the Audain Art Museum (AAM) in Whistler, BC. Collins received his PhD from the Department of Art History and Communications Studies at McGill University in Montreal. He has served as a director and curator for a variety of institutions across Canada, including the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Art Gallery of Algoma, and Dunlop Art Gallery. Dr. Collins has also been active as an educator at MacEwan University, the Yukon School of Visual Arts, and First Nations University of Canada. His curatorial projects at the AAM include Reservoir by Rebecca Belmore (2020–2021), Curve! Women Carvers on the Northwest Coast (2024–2025), and The Coast Mountains: Recent Works by Edward Burtynsky (2025). Michael Audain is the founder and chairman of Polygon Homes Ltd., an officer of the Order of Canada, and a member of the Order of British Columbia. He is the author of Pictures on the Wall: Building a Canadian Art Collection (2023) and the memoir One Man in His Time… (2021). Audain is a business leader and philanthropist dedicated to supporting wildlife causes and the visual arts. He lives with his wife, Yoshiko Karasawa, in West Vancouver, BC. Wade Davis served as Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society (2000–2013) and Professor of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia (2014–24). His twenty-four books, published in twenty-three languages, include the international bestsellers The Serpent and the Rainbow (1985), One River (1996), The Wayfinders (2007), and Into the Silence (2011), winner of the 2012 Samuel Johnson Prize, the top nonfiction award in the English language. His most recent books are Magdalena: River of Dreams (2020) and Beneath the Surface of Things (2024). Recipient of twelve honorary degrees and numerous awards, Davis was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2016, and an Honorary Citizen of Colombia in 2018. Gwaliga Hart is a Gak’yaals Kiigawaay Raven and has worked in various complementary fields around Haida Gwaii. He has a degree in anthropology from UBC with a focus in First Nations Languages and Linguistics. Gwaliga believes in yahgudang, respect for all things, and he understands that in order to continue living traditions and values on Haida Gwaii we have to take care of this place and live in accordance. He is passionate about helping protect and take care of Haida Gwaii, working cooperatively, and growing a better future for the next generations.