John P. Wilson

John P. Wilson, Haisla

John Wilson was born in Kitimat, BC and comes from the Haisla Nation near the Douglas Channel in British Columbia, Canada. His crest is Killerwhale. He has lived in Terrace, BC since 1980. John has always been an artist at heart, and amazed by paintings and regalia at a very young age.

He began learning to carve in 2002.  He has taken a course in Terrace, BC taught by Heber Reece in 2004 and finished his diploma at the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art. His influences are Lyle Wilson, Robert Davidson, Dempsey Bob, Don Yeomans, Beau Dick, Klatle-Bhi, to name a few. John's favorite medium is wood but also using acrylics and exploring printmaking. Working in metals and jewelry making are additional forms John wants to explore, as he continues to research and explore the rich history of Haisla art forms.

John has had commissions with the Spirit of the Kitlope Dance Group from the Haisla Nation, used for the traditional songs and dances. The commissions are Eagle mask, Killer Whale mask, two Beaver masks, and two Raven masks. He has also had numerous corporate commissions.  In 2008, he was part of the “Masks and Panels” group exhibition in Seattle, Washington.