Leonard Scow (Kwak’waka’wakw) was born in Alert Bay in 1962. He comes from a long line of artists including the renowned Mungo Martin. He trained with many the artists in his home community. He specializes in carving masks but also carves totem poles, canoes and other Indigenous items. He dresses his carvings with cedar bark and feathers.
The Kwakwaka'wakw art style practiced by Leonard is highly expressive, known for its dramatic flair, deep carvings, and vibrant use of color. Unlike the more restrained color palettes of some other Northwest Coast nations (such as the Haida), Kwakwaka'wakw artists were historically described as "explosive" with color, using a wide variety of pigments beyond just the traditional red and black.
