Klatle-Bhi
Kwakwaka'wakw
Klatle-Bhi (pronounced “Cloth-Bay”) was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia in 1966. He began his life as an artist studying the works of his ancestors featured in museums and galleries. Klatle- Bhi spent many hours with artists Beau Dick, Wayne Alfred, Wade Baker and Rick Harry, absorbing their understanding and knowledge of native culture.
In his carving, which he has evolved over 25 years, Klatle-Bhi is committed to the spiritual and cultural expression of his ancestors. Many of his carvings express his own personal and spiritual journey through life. Klatle-Bhi has developed a style of carving which is unique and distinctive. It is his goal to achieve the highest level of craftsmanship and artistry that this cultural medium will allow. He believes that his journey as an artist has just begun.
Klatle-Bhi comes from a very traditionally rooted family where his Squamish and Kwakwaka’wakw cultures are a large part of everyday life. Aside from his artwork, Klatle-bhi aspires to maintain the languages, dances and songs of his ancestors. Klatle-Bhi believes both art and culture meet on a journey into the history of his people. Klatle-Bhi has taken on several apprentices to share the knowledge and experiences passed down to him with the next generation of up and coming artists.
In 2008, Klatle-Bhi was commissioned by Petro-Canada to carve a 22-foot totem pole for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics games as part of their national sponsorship of the games. The legacy sea-to-sky totem pole stood at the Four Host First Nations Pavilion at Queen Elizabeth Theatre during the winter games. After the Olympics, the totem pole found it’s permanent home in the atrium of Petro-Canada’s Calgary headquarters.
Klatle-Bhi’s artwork is found in several public museums, including the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City and the Burke Museum of Natural History in Seattle. In addition Klatle-Bhi has created several large-scale commissions for corporate offices across Canada, and for private collections throughout the world.