David Neel, Paddle to Paddle
David Neel
1960-
Kwakwaka'wakw
Date
1993
Medium Specific
Acrylic on canvas
Classification
Painting
Dimensions
22 x 28 in. (55.9 x 71.1 cm)
Accession Number
2021.35.15.40
Credit
Gift of Gloria and Selig Kaplan
Memo / Artist Statement
From earliest memory I wanted to follow in the family footsteps and be a Native artist, although fate decreed that I would work a photographer in the USA before returning to the Vancouver. I soon met Beau Dick and Wayne Alfred, and I apprenticed as a carver for 2 years.
My ancestors have been a major influence on my art practice, including: Dave Senior, Ellen Neel, Charlie James, Mungo Martin and my uncle Bob Neel who introduced me to hand engraving. It was not my intention to become a jeweler, but my interest in Kwakiutl design made hand engraving the perfect medium and I continue to use it to explore traditional design, which is highly complex with endless possibilities. Currently I am studying early bentwood box designs and applying this knowledge to my hand engraving. My grandmother, Ellen Neel, is credited with introducing silk screen printing to N.W. Native art, which encouraged me to do print making.
https://www.davidneelartist.com/dn_about.php
My ancestors have been a major influence on my art practice, including: Dave Senior, Ellen Neel, Charlie James, Mungo Martin and my uncle Bob Neel who introduced me to hand engraving. It was not my intention to become a jeweler, but my interest in Kwakiutl design made hand engraving the perfect medium and I continue to use it to explore traditional design, which is highly complex with endless possibilities. Currently I am studying early bentwood box designs and applying this knowledge to my hand engraving. My grandmother, Ellen Neel, is credited with introducing silk screen printing to N.W. Native art, which encouraged me to do print making.
https://www.davidneelartist.com/dn_about.php
Biography
David Neel's crests are Thunderbird and Killerwhale. He comes from a family that is rich in history and artistic skill. His father is Dave Neel Sr., his great uncle is acclaimed artist Mungo Martin, his great-great-great grandfather is Charlie James, and his grandmother is renowned artist Ellen Neel. His widely exhibited work includes jewellery, masks, drums, poles, original paintings, limited edition prints, glass etching, regalia, and photos appearing in several magazines.
David's formal training in Fine Arts was at the University of Kansas and at Mount Royal College, Alberta. Following a career as a professional photographer in Texas, David returned to Canada in the early 1990s, and conceived two important projects: one documenting works and images of First Nations elders, and the other promoting the revival of the Northwest Coast great dugout canoe. In 2020, he published his own book titled The Way Home which was nominated for the Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction.
https://www.lattimergallery.com/collections/david-neel
David's formal training in Fine Arts was at the University of Kansas and at Mount Royal College, Alberta. Following a career as a professional photographer in Texas, David returned to Canada in the early 1990s, and conceived two important projects: one documenting works and images of First Nations elders, and the other promoting the revival of the Northwest Coast great dugout canoe. In 2020, he published his own book titled The Way Home which was nominated for the Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction.
https://www.lattimergallery.com/collections/david-neel
Date of Bio
Inscription
c. D.Neel 93 (lrc)