Chris Paul

Country/Region: Northwest Coast (view other artists)

Tribe: Coast Salish

Chris Paul is a Coast Salish Artist from the Tsartlip Reserve, near Brentwood Bay, BC. He belongs to the Saanich People. The well Chris draws from is deeply grounded in Saanich stories and culture.

Chris' experience and admiration for Coast Salish Art began in his youth. Being apart from the Tsartlip people, Chris had many parts of his culture to draw from; language, songs, stories and rituals, each imprinted his being. Events and ceremonies moved Chris to understand more about himself and his culture, and see it through an artistic eye. At twenty-six, he was invited to apprentice with Floyd Joseph. Many projects watered the seeds of discovery for Chris as his experience with Floyd brought him further into the world of West Coast Art. He hungered for more understanding of this ancient art. Chris studied the art of Charles Elliott, Susan Point, Mark Preston, Joe Wilson, Bill Reid, Robert Davidson, and Roy Vickers.

That same year, 1995, Roy Henry Vickers appeared on Chris' family property. Roy and Chris' friendship grew quickly. Roy's art and level of excellence moved Chris to request an apprentiship. Roy's initial proposal to Chris was to attend the native art school he had graduated from 30 years prior, 'Ksan. At thirty, and after a year at 'Ksan in Hazelton, BC, Chris and Roy embarked on their journey together. As Roy's apprentice, Chris learned to refine the art he saw, to explore and create. He was taught to manage and market a business, and to do the thing he loves. It was an intense learning curve and after two years he was ready to branch out, to discover his personal style and expression. With a new sense of courage and more experience behind him, Chris decided to explore within, to pull upon the roots of his creation, to bring it forth into the light.

Selected Exhibitions:

2003 Salmon Vision, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC

2004 Tribal Adornments, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC

2005 Shine - Adornments of the Northwest Coast, Victoria, BC

2007 Transporters: Tradition and Innovation, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Victoria, BC

2007 Gathered Treasures, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC

2010 Garamuts, Tifa, and Tambourines: Drums of the Pacific Rim, Group Exhibition, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC

2010 Gallery Artists: Masterworks from the Pacific Northwest Coast of Canada and Papua New Guinea, Group Exhibition, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC

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