Saturday, November 1st, 2025
1:00 - 3:00 pm
In Conversation with Master Carver Chief 7IDANsuu James Hart
Book Launch for 7IDANsuu James Hart: A Monumental Practice
Join us for the official launch of 7IDANsuu James Hart: A Monumental Practice, a landmark publication celebrating the extraordinary career of renowned Haida artist and Hereditary Chief, James Hart—Honourary Patron of the Bill Reid Gallery. Our Emerging Artist program proudly carries his name, honouring his legacy of mentorship and inspiration.
This free public event will feature an artist talk and book signing with Chief James Hart, his son Gwaliga Hart, and co-author Curtis Collins (Director and Chief Curator, Audain Art Museum), moderated by Aliya Boubard, Curator at the Bill Reid Gallery.
Guests are invited to enjoy complimentary wine and canapés while exploring the powerful stories behind Hart’s monumental carvings and bronze editions—works rooted in Haida traditions and celebrated both across Canada and internationally.
This first-ever publication devoted to Chief James Hart serves as both a survey of his career achievements and a record of an impossible-to-assemble exhibition, co-published by the Audain Art Museum and Figure 1 Publishing.
All are welcome, registration required.
Co-Publishers
Bios
Chief 7IDANsuu James Hart
Chief 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, with whom he honed his technical skills in carving, bronze-casting and jewellery making. 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 (2015-17), installed at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Hart's contributions to the continuation and evolution of Haida art have been widely recognized. He has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver, and an Honorary Degree in Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC. He was also awarded the Order of British Columbia in 2003, the Queen Elizabeth || Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013, the Audain Prize in 2021 and the Order of Canada in 2023.
Gwaliga Hart
Gwaliga Hart is a Gaa K'yaals KiiGawaay Raven and has worked in various complementary fields around Haida Gwaii. He has a degree in anthropology with a focus on First Nations languages and linguistics from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Hart 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.
Aliya Boubard
Aliya Boubard, Curator of the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, is Anishinaabekwe and a member of Sagkeeng First Nation, located on Treaty 1 Territory in Manitoba. Having completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Manitoba and a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Indigenous Studies from Simon Fraser University, Boubard is an emerging curator and multi-disciplinary artist, exploring photography, digital illustration, and traditional beading. Her curatorial practice is centered around contemporary Indigenous art from across Turtle Island and is dedicated to supporting Indigenous artists at varying levels of their careers.
Curtis Collins
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, Montreal. He has served as a director and curator for a variety of institutions across Canada, including the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Fredericton, NB; Art Gallery of Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie, ON; and Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina, SK. Collins has also been active as an educator at MacEwan University, Edmonton; the Yukon School of Visual Arts, Dawson City; and First Nations University of Canada, Regina. His curatorial projects at the AAM include Reservoir by Rebecca Belmore (2020-21), Curve! Women Carvers on the Northwest Coast (2024-25), and The Coast Mountains: Recent Works by Edward Burtynsky (2025).