Jacob Lewis, a member of the Squamish tribe of the Coast Salish Nation was born in 1955. He lives in the pristine upper Squamish Valley Reserve.
Jacob has been carving since very young and became prolific in his 20’s. He studied art education at Capilano College (now Capilano University) for two and a half years. In his college years he was lucky to attend a tour to Europe with the Overseas Art History Program. In the six weeks tour he traveled to France, Holland, and Britain. Jacob said this experience was an eye opener. He explored the finest museums in the world and he was inspired to expend his knowledge in contemporary art.
Jacob transforms a yellow cedar carving into a work of complex design where integrated hidden crest figures are sub-plots within the larger work. In a design of a simple Sun, one might see several Ravens, Eagles and perhaps a Bear or Whale. Even the eyebrows and cheeks of the figures become secondary creatures themselves.
Jacob’s designs are his own. He uses mainly yellow cedar and completes the designs in Paua Shells – Abalone Shells from New Zealand.
