David Neel facts for kids
David Anthony Neel (born April 7, 1960) is a Canadian writer, photographer, and artist. He is a member of the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nation from the coast of British Columbia. His art often connects to his Indigenous heritage and modern life.
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About David Anthony Neel
David Anthony Neel was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, on April 7, 1960. He is a talented artist who works with many different materials. He trained as a professional photographer in the United States. In 1987, he moved back to Vancouver. This was a big moment for him. He soon started creating art in the style of his father's people, the Kwakwaka'wakw.
From 1987 to 1989, he learned carving from two Kwakwaka'wakw artists, Beau Dick and Wayne Alfred. He was following a family tradition. His late father, Dave Neel Sr., was taught by his mother, Ellen Neel. Ellen Neel learned from her uncle, Mungo Martin, and her grandfather, Charlie James. This shows how art has been passed down through his family for many generations.
David Neel's Artworks
David Neel creates art in many forms. He uses carving, photography, prints, jewelry, and painting to share his ideas.
Carved Masks and Canoes
In the 1990s, David Neel developed a unique carving style. He used masks to share his thoughts on modern history and society. He believes that "tradition is a foundation to build upon." This means tradition helps artists create new things, not stop them.
- Mask of International Commerce: This mask was shown in London, England. It was part of the Royal Opening of Canada House.
- Mask of the Injustice System: This mask was shown at the 1999 Venice Biennale.
At the Venice Biennale, Neel showed his modern masks. He also performed on the Grand Canal. He used his 26-foot dugout canoe, called "Walas-Kwis-Gila." This name means "Travels Great Distances." After his book The Great Canoes came out in 1995, he carved two more canoes. These were 26-foot and 32-foot long. They were used for many canoe journeys.
Prints and Photography
In the 1990s, Neel also made many limited edition prints. Some prints showed traditional Kwakwaka'wakw subjects. Others dealt with modern history, much like his masks. One of his most famous prints is "Life on the 18th Hole." It shows a Mohawk warrior from the 1990 Oka Crisis in Quebec, Canada.
His first art form was photography. He used it to create two books about Native culture. These books are Our Chiefs and Elders (1992) and The Great Canoes (1995). Like his prints and masks, these books explored modern Native history. He continued to work as a professional photographer. He focused on taking pictures of contemporary Native people. He took portraits for the National Museum of the American Indian in New York, New York. He also had a permanent display of his portraits at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum in Groton, Connecticut.
Jewelry and Painting
In 1991, David Neel started engraving jewelry by hand. He worked in the Kwakwaka'wakw style. He used silver, gold, and platinum. From 1998 to 2000, he made a series of fancy gold and silver boxes. These boxes were inspired by traditional bentwood cedar chests. He still makes jewelry today, mostly with gold and diamonds.
In 2000, his art came full circle. He began painting on canvas. This was the same art form his late father used. His early paintings used oil and acrylic paints. They showed traditional legends in his own unique style. Later, he started painting abstract art. He also created stylized pictures of masks from museum collections. David Neel continues to be an active artist. He mainly works on jewelry and painting.
Awards and Recognition
David Neel has received several awards for his art.
- In 1987 and 1988, he won the Mungo Martin Memorial Award.
- In 1991, the Canada Council Explorations gave him a grant. This was for his Contemporary Mask Series.
- The Smithsonian Institution gave him a Community Scholar Grant in 1992.
- His memoir, The Way Home, was recognized in 2020. This book is about reconnecting with his Indigenous heritage. It was shortlisted for the Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction.
