RALPH BURGESS
Heritage
- Tsimshian
Ralph Burgess was born in 1944 to the Tsimshian
Nation, at the Gitskan village of Kispiox, B.C.
Ralph has always been interested in the Tsimshian
art form which portrays the history of his people.
He was fascinated by the great totem poles of his
village and carved small ones as a hobby as a young
boy. He did not seriously pursue the native art form
until 1983 when he was introduced to silver
engraving.
Developing his own technique, Ralph has become a
very accomplished and respected engraver. Ralph's
silver and gold traditional style jewellery is held
in many private collections around the world.