Biography
Joe David, Tla-o-qui-aht Master Carver
Known to his community as Hyacinth Joseph David Jr, “the artist Joe David” is internationally renowned as one of the carving masters of the Northwest Coast. Born in the Tla-o-qui-aht village of Opitsaht to parents Hyacinth Peter David and Winnifred Lillian David (née George), he was the 12th of 13 siblings. His parents were also artists who liked to “keep their hands busy” always creating small figures and various cultural items for sale. As a young boy, he moved with his family away from their home territory and into the United States following seasonal work.
Joe David went on to study the arts both in Seattle, Washington and San Marcos, Texas. His growing interest in his own heritage and tradition led him to study with Bill Holm, the Northwest Coast scholar at the University of Washington, and also to Duane Pasco, an early artist of the contemporary generation of Northwest Coast artists. He began a life-long intensive study of the vast collections of traditional objects currently housed in museums all over the world, devoting his artistic practice to perfecting the elegance of Northwest Coast form. Joe David has always been drawn to the spiritual essence within the carving tradition. He began cultivating a deep spiritual practice -- first within his own ancestral traditions and then branching out into the teachings and practices of other First Nations across North America and internationally.
In 1984, Joe David carved The Cedar Man as a part of the historic people's movement to protect Meares Island (Wanachis-Hilthoois) from industrial logging. The Cedar Man was raised with the support of the Nuu-chah-nulth community at the BC Parliament Building and is now featured in the great hall at the Museum of Anthropology. His prolific body of graphics, paintings, and sculptures in wood, glass and bronze have been collected by galleries, museums and private collectors all over the world. Joe is now settled back in his home territory of Tla-o-qui-aht where he continues to produce new work. He is also a board member for the Carving on the Edge Festival Society, supporting various local community arts initiatives.
Written by Marika Swan, 2019