BRUCE BIRD
Heritage
- Metis/Cree
Bruce Bird is a self taught antler carver of Metis
and Cree ancestry who lives in Qualicum Beach,
British Columbia. Bruce first tried his hand at
antler carving as a teenager. In 1975 he trained as
a saddle and leather carver. He has recently
rekindled his interest and passion for carving
antler and now concentrates his efforts in this
medium.
Bruce feels that his connection to the land and his
heritage have helped him in his work and describes
himself as an intuitive carver:
“I always pay attention to my inner feelings while
carving. When I start a new piece I usually have a
pretty good idea of what it will become but the
antler itself gives me ideas and although I can
visualize the final shape to some extent, sometimes
an eagle will turn into a raven or a closed mouth
will open up to reveal its tongue."
Bruce’s work is contemporary in design but ageless
in tradition. Antler has been carved for
generations.
Bruce has enjoyed Shamanic studies with the Michael
Harner Foundation and has been instructed in
creating these sacred objects in an indigenous,
shamanic manner by a local practicing shaman. All of
Bruce's work has been infused with love and prayer
and holds and depicts the spirit medicine of the
various animals and their totems. Carving antler is
a slow, spiritual process that Bruce finds
satisfying to his soul.