JACOB LEWIS
Heritage
- Coast Salish
Jacob Lewis was born into the Squamish tribe of the
Coast Salish Nation in 1955. The name Jacob or “Sequaltuhn”
means Man who Sees the Future. Jacob was given his
name by his maternal grandmother, Bertha Billy.
He has been carving since the tender age of seven
and became prolific in his 20's. Jacob transforms a
carving of yellow cedar into a work of complex
design where integrated hidden crest figures are
sub-plots within the larger work. In a simple Sun,
one might see several Ravens, Eagles and perhaps a
Bear or whale. Even the eyebrows and cheeks of the
figures become secondary creatures themselves.
He's become internationally renowned for his
elaborate original designs, and is best known for
his ability to bring traditional and contemporary
forms together. Although Jacob adheres to the
established rules of Northwest Coast Native art in
shape and form, he adds a modern dimension that is
completely his own. It is this tension between the
old and the new that makes Jacob's work so
compelling and alive.
Jacob's work has been displayed in exhibitions all
over North America can be found in collections
around the world.