Bowker Biography:
Jim Gilbert, B.A.
April 8, 1932 - November 14, 2000

 

For thirty years, Jim Gilbert was an active artist working mainly in the art form of the Pacific Northwest Coast First Nations. He worked in most coastal Aboriginal Art styles with artistic production ranging from original graphics, limited and open edition prints, carvings in wood, ivory, bone and stone, to hand engraved and sculptured jewelry pieces in silver and gold.

Jim was raised in Brentwood Bay on Saanich Inlet. His early fishing and hunting partners were First Nations people. That, along with the influence of his father's work in Northwest Coast First Nations art, ensured Jim's lifelong affinity to the culture. A versatile and award winning artist in both traditional and contemporary styles, Jim was trained under a traditional Kwagulth Art apprenticeship with the Hunt family of Victoria. He worked with and for Master carver, Tony Hunt, and learned the basics from Master carver, Henry Hunt, and felt privileged to have danced at Henry's funeral potlatch. Over the years, Jim was commissioned by a number of First Nations people to produce carvings and silver jewellery to be used for ceremonial activities.

Jim used his artistic skills to create over fifteen hundred original illustrations for both volumes of Learning by Designing. Jim's continuing desire was to pass on his knowledge and appreciation for the art. In his own words, "It is important to me to pass on what I have learned and to make others aware of the value of the finest and most sophisticated art form ever developed by an aboriginal people."

 

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