Alfred Davidson IV
Haida Artist from Haida Gwaii, BC
BIO
Alfred Davidson was born and raised in the village of Masset BC on Haida Gwaii BC, June 14th, 1992.
The Haida are a matrilineal people, Like his mother Alfred is from the T'saahl Laanaas eagle clan of Masset BC.
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Alfred comes from a long line of traditional Haida artists in both his father and mothers side. Alfred grew up in his fathers carving room, observing and learning the rules of Haida art and Cedar carving and Argillite. This helped Alfred during Haida language and art classes in Elementary and High School.
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Alfred also learned Haida art from reading books and experimentation.
Alfred does traditional Haida formline art works in multimedia such as designing, painting, wood carving,
metal engraving, regalia making. Alfred mixes traditional designs with no- traditional colours and he is always applying traditional work to new mediums.
In 2012-2014 Alfred apprenticed under well known Haida artist Lyle Campbell. During this apprenticeship, Alfred learned more about traditional Haida formline design, painting and wood carving.
Alfred was also mentored under the master carver Robert Davidson, were he learned how to design.
Alfred has attended many art institutions such as the Freda Diesing School Of Northwest Coast Art, Native Education College, Emily Carr University Of Art & Design and the Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurs Program For Artists.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Orange Shirt Day Design 2023
The title of this artwork is Raven and its healing hands.
The raven is the creator and its love heals all, so I have a raven in my heart. The raven in human form helps to heal people. It is sybolic of how we overcome adversity when we come together.