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Biogrpahy of Russel Smith
Biography
of Russell Smith (Awasaklas) an Qugyuhl Artist in Wood, Gold, Silver, Copper &
Ivory.
Russell Smith was born in the village of Alert Bay in 1950. He is the direct decendant of six chieftain bloodlines.
Russell's maternal grandfather was Issac Abraham, Chief of the Walas Kwakiutl at Fort Rupert. Edith Dawson, his maternal grandmother was the daughter of Chief Amos Dawson of the Mamalelekala tribe of Village Island. Russell's mother, Elizabeth Abraham, was a member af the Thunderbird Clan. She was the bearer af the aural history of the family genealogy; a maker of button blankets and aprons. It was through her teachings that the traditional knowledge of Kwakiutl social order and language was passed on to Russell and his two elder brothers, Jerry and Clayton.
Their paternal grandfather, Jerry Brown, was a Hope Island Chief. He was well known among the people and respected as a traditional dancer. The name Jerry Brown has been recorded in history books of the white man. He was so faithfull in his adherence to the Kwakiutl ways, that he performed the "Potlatch" undaunted by colonial laws, that prohibited all traditional ceremonies and in 1922 he was imprisoned for talking part in the 1921 December potlatch at Village Island. The only direct descendant of Chief Jerry Brown was Russlell's father,Jacob Smith.
It is from a deep fountain of stories, songs, dances, legends, spirits and mythical creatures, that Russell recreates the very images, that guide his hand in the powerful cut of a carver's blade or the delicate touch of a paint brush.
Russell began woodcarving in 1968. Within a year Bill Holm asked him to assist in the restoration of a "Southern Kwakiutl Long House" at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle. This long house was opened in June of 1971 as part of a long-term exhibit on the "Development of Man and The Environment". In the early 1970's with the encouragement of his cousin, Lloyd Wadhams, Russell began working with precious metals. During 1973 and 1974 he received instruction in wood carving from Doug Cranmer and Larry Rosso at the Vancouver Museum. In 1977 Russell learned the art of repousse from Bill Reid, Gerry Marks, Phil Janze and the goldsmith, Peter Page. He has gone on to create stunning pieces in gold, silver, and copper.
Russell has studied extensively the ancient and traditional designs of his Kwakiutl heritage. He works with wood, ivory, paint and precious metals, imprinting his singular powerful style onto totem poles, masks, bowls, rattles, frontlets, drums, jewellery and canvas. In each creation a vision stands revealed. Each piece records the history of the Kwakiutl in a perpetual re-enactment of natural order and harmony. No two of Russell's works are the same; yet, each is alive and hypnotic.
A number of apprentice carvers and jewelers have learned design, form, color, shape and function from Russell's inimitable style. He has taught other selected artists repousse techniques. Russell maintains an extensive collection of photographs and slides of the most exquisite pieces housed in museums and private collections throughout the world. Because of this, Russell is frequently called upon to identify and appraise the works of other artists. In his quite and unassuming manner he has shared generously his knowledge of the art.
Since childhood Russell was trained in traditional dance forms. His mother made his dance regalia. As a young man he made a concerted effort to learn certain dances from the elders. Russell is skilled in performing numerous masked dances and ceremonial songs, carving the masks and frontlets that he uses. He has performed as far abroad as the United States of America, England, Germany and Japan.
The art of "Awasaklas" has been featured in many exhibitions, including:
Colone, Germany, 1998;
Germany, 1999;
Dolfinarium-Harderwijk in the Netherlands.