David Neel

Country/Region: Northwest Coast (view other artists)

Tribe: Kwakwaka'wakw

David Neel (b. 1960) is a professional photographer as well as a hereditary Kwagiutl artist. He works in a number of mediums including: wood sculpture, photography, printmaking, and painting. From his father, David Neel Sr., he inherited a rich artistic heritage. Dave Sr., a Fort Rupert (Tsaxis) Kwagiutl, was taught to carve by his Mother, Ellen Neel and her Uncle Mungo Martin. Both Mungo and Ellen received their instruction from their relative Charlie James. Neel uses the work of his ancestors as the starting point for his own interpretation of carving and design.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

1990-91 Our Chiefs and Elders: Photographs by David Neel, Kwagiutl, UBC Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver, BC

1991 To Speak for Ourselves: Portraits of Chiefs and Elders by David Neel, National Archives of Canada, Ottawa, ONT

1993 Spirit of the Earth: Vancouver Museum, Vancouver, BC

1993 Photographs of Native Leaders and Related Works, Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, Ottawa, ONT

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

1991 Strengthening the Spirit, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, ONT

1992 Celebration of First Nations art, Sponsored by Syncrude Canada, National Canadian Tour, and Japan. Catalogue available.

1992 Canadian Inuit, Northwest Coast Indian Art, Seoul Arts Centre, Seoul, Korea. Catalogue available

1992 Pathways of Tradition, Smithsonian Institution, New York, NY

1993 Guatemalan/Canadian Indigenous Art Exhibition, Guatemala City, Guatemala

1993 Facing History, National Archives of Canada, Ottawa, ONT

GRANTS/COMMISSIONS

1988 Mungo Martin Memorial Award

1988 The Canada Council Project Grant – Our Chiefs and Elders

1991 Canada Council Explorations Grant – Spirit of the Earth

1991 Art Assistance Grant, Ministry of Municipal Affairs – Spirit of the Earth

1992 Smithsonian Institution – Community Scholar Grant

VIEW SHORT BIOGRAPHY