Phil Janze (b. 1950) has been producing masterpieces of the Northwest Coast art for nearly forty years. He first began working in metal after watching Stanley George hammer out and carve silver coins in Bella Bella in 1963. The first pieces that Janze produced were engravings of the seiners that were tied up the Bella Bella docks.
In the years following his graduation from British Columbia Institute of Technology in 1970, Phil concentrated on exploring the media of silver and gold jewellery. In this study he sought out many experts in the field and although he never directly apprenticed to anyone he spent many hours with jewellers who provided him with advice, encouragement, and support.
Phil had already produced many quality pieces when he was invited to participate in the jewellery program, organized by renowned Haida artist
Bill Reid and coordinated by Peter Page of the Goldsmith's hall of London, England. The three-month program was a turning point for Phil for he learned much in the field of jewellery-making techniques, as well as benefiting from the interaction with a number of other Northwest Coast artists, who also took part in this program. He returned home fully capable of creating the delicate and intricate pieces he envisioned.
Since his return to British Columbia, Phil has received a number of awards including recognition by the Canadian Jewellers Challenge on two occasions: 1982 and 1984, for creating one of the six finest jewellery items in Canada. He also won top prize from the Indian and Northern Affairs purchase show for his gold brooch.
Phil Janze has been recognized the world over for his elegant and thought provoking works of art. He is represented in public and corporate collections in Canada, the United States, Germany, and Japan. His art is in many of the most renowned private collections around the world.
SELECTED MAJOR WORKS
GOLD
* Crab Pendant/locket, 14K gold and diamonds. First prize in the Metal National juried show, Indian Affairs. Cataloged for this show which traveled across Canada. (1984)
* Clam Shell pendant, 14K gold. Selected as one of the top six pieces in the 1982 Canadian Jeweller’s Challenge. This pendant was also exhibited in the 1989 Beyond the Rival exhibition.
1995 Human Face, 20K gold and amalite. Commission for Krolite Industries chosen for the cover of the Canadian Jewellers Magazine. (1986)
1995 Killerwhale watch band, 22K gold. Private Collection. (1989)
1995 Killerwhale brooch/pendant, 20K gold with accompanying birch and silver box.
* Spindle whorl, 18K gold and pure silver chain. Museum of Anthropology Collection, University of British Columbia. This piece toured with the Canadian Native Art Show and was included in the catalogue. (1983)
* Sun/Moon brooch/pendant, 20K gold. Transformation piece with custom made box. Private Collection. (1982)
* Raven Stealing the Moon brooch, 18K gold and moonstone from India. Private collection. Exhibited in and catalogued for Beyond the Revival and exhibited in the West Coast Native Art show, Emily Carr College of Art. (1989)
* Grub Worm bracelet, 18K gold and goat horn. Private Collection. Exhibited in Beyond the Revival. (1989)
* Thunderbird/Hawk Amhalait pendant/brooch, 22K gold and abalone. Tribal Miniatures, Alcheringa Gallery. (1996)
SILVER
* Grouse and Killerwhale Repousse box with argillite lid in fireweed design. Collection of the Artists. (1974)
* Bear design locket. Private Collection.
* Walking stick in Killerwhale and fireweed design in sterling silver, cherry wood, abalone, and sperm whale tooth ivory. MacMillan Bloedel collection. (1977)
* Goat horn and silver spoon with sterling silver bowl. Museum of Witchita Collection. (1978)
WOOD
* Sea-Bear frontlet. Grey willow. Legacy collection, Royal British Columbia Museum. (1986)
* Eagle Headdress with articulated beak. Alder, copper. Peacock Collection, Barrie Art Gallery. (1988)
* Two Fin Bear sculpture for house of Wegyet, Gitsegukla. (1988)
* Six totem pole replications with Early Muldoe for the Kiwancool Toten Pole Replication project. (1987)
* Frog/Raven totem pole (6-ft.). Private Collection. (1986)
* Octopus comb. Cherry wood. Private Collection, exhibited at the St. Louis Crafts Guild. (1988)
* Killerwhale Totem Pole (33-ft.). Carved with Earl Muldoe in Japan for the Little World Museum of Man, Inuyama, Ichi, Japan. (1987)
COPPER
* Copper Sun Mask, (34-ft.). Copper repousse and paint. Private collection. (1989)
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
1995 Tribal Miniatures: Dreams of Silver and Gold, annual exhibition, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC
1996 Tribal Miniatures: Treasures of the Northwest Coast, annual exhibition, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC
2000 Tribal Miniatures '00, annual exhibition, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, BC
2004-2005 Totems to Turquoise: Native North American Jewellery Arts of the Northwest and Southwest, American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA
2007 Gathered Treasures, Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, B.C.
