Godanxee'wat: Stone Ribs

January 12 to July 5, 2015, the Bill Reid Gallery will feature Godanxee'wat: Stone Ribs, created by Haida artist, Gwaai Edenshaw. This eight and a half foot pole, originally carved in Yellow-cedar, is an edition of seven bronze totem poles that were made in a multi-stage, labour intensive process. The final colour of the patina was chosen to reflect the famous polished black argillite carvings, exclusive to the Haida. 

Edenshaw combines his understanding of Haida culture, Haida oral history and sculpture to interpret Godanxee'wat: Stone Ribs, a celebrated supernatural being and ancestor to the Haida people.  

Godanxee'wat: Stone Ribs also has a contemporary story that has been an inspiring component to the world renowned Haida Gwaii Rediscovery Youth Program, which started in 1977. The Rediscovery program brings youth together to learn cultural knowledge, and connect with the land and sea. They participate in two week long camps, where they leave the trappings of electricity, and modernity behind and learn cultural knowledge, survival skills, respect for one another and the world around them. At the end of each session, one youth participant is awarded and ceremonially honored the title, Stone Ribs. Those who have earned it, carry the name with pride. It has come represent self-discovery, courage and selflessness. Rediscovery has since been adapted around the world, to connect youth to their own power and to the natural world around them. 

Edenshaw brings together his personal experience with Haida Gwaii Rediscovery, Haida Oral History, and classical Haida carving expression to present this beautiful continuum of story telling through Godanxee'wat: Stone Ribs.

Gwaai Edenshaw's first mentor at the age of 16, was Bill Reid. His artistic career spanning 20 years plus, he has grown, and works in a variety of different media and with other senior artists and collaborators.

Exhibition Dates

January 12, 2015 to July 5, 2015

Photos by

David Ball