Freda Diesing facts for kids

Freda Diesing (born June 2, 1925 – died December 4, 2002) was a talented Haida artist. She belonged to the Sadsugohilanes Clan. Freda was one of the very few women who carved totem poles on the Northwest Coast. She was also a member of the Council of the Haida Nation in British Columbia, Canada. Her Haida name was Skil Kew Wat, which means "magical little woman."

Early Life and Art Training

Freda Diesing was born Marie Alfreda Johnson in Prince Rupert, B.C.. This was on June 2, 1925. She loved art from a young age.

She studied painting at the Vancouver School of Art. Later, she became one of the first students at the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art. This school is also known as 'Ksan. It is located in Hazelton, B.C., in Gitksan territory. At 'Ksan, she learned from important teachers. These included art historian Bill Holm. She also learned from First Nations artists like Tony Hunt (Kwakwaka'wakw) and Robert Davidson (Haida).

Her Amazing Artwork

Freda Diesing started carving when she was 42 years old. She used traditional formline design in her art. This style is very important in Northwest Coast art.

She created many different types of carvings. These included beautiful portrait masks and bowls. She also carved large totem poles. Freda designed special ceremonial button blankets. She also carved wall panels for the Prince Rupert General Hospital. She was a key part of a big comeback for Northwest Coast art in the 1960s.

Some of her famous totem poles include two poles in the Tsimshian community of Kitsumkalum. This community is near Terrace, B.C.. She carved these with help from a Tsimshian team. In 1987, she carved a pole for the RCMP station in Terrace. She also created poles in Prince Rupert.

Her Legacy and Awards

Freda Diesing was a master carver and painter. She was also a great teacher. She worked hard to support First Nations art and culture. Many famous artists learned from her. These include Dempsey Bob, Norman Tait, and her nephew Don Yeomans. She taught many students across the Pacific Northwest.

Freda Diesing received many awards for her work. The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation honored her. They gave her the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in March 2002. This ceremony took place in Winnipeg. In May 2002, she received an honorary doctorate. This was from the University of Northern British Columbia.

In 2006, Coast Mountain College created a school named after her. It is called the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art. This school is in Terrace, British Columbia. It teaches new artists about Northwest Coast art.

She also worked as an artist-in-residence in the Dominican Republic. She took part in sculpture events in Finland.

Exhibitions of Her Work

Freda Diesing's art has been shown in many exhibitions.

• 2019 Hearts of Our People: Native Women Arts. Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• 1998 Down from the shimmering sky: masks of the Northwest Coast. Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia.
• 1996 Topographies: aspects of recent B.C. art. Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia.
• 1994 Spirit Faces. Inuit Art Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia.
• 1993 Art of the mask: works from the Peacock Collection. Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay.