DAVID BOXLEY American / Tsimshian, born 1952 FOUR CLANS UNITED silkscreen on paper Limited edition impression numbered 207 or an edition of 300. Pencil signed and numbered. Framed. Not examined out of frame.
$120-220
ARTIST PROFILE: David A. Boxley, born in 1952 in Ketchikan and raised in Metlakatla, Alaska, is a preeminent Tsimshian artist renowned for his massive contribution to the global recognition and internal revival of Tsimshian culture. Growing up in a period where indigenous traditions were nearly extinct due to systemic oppression, Boxley was uniquely influenced by his grandparents, who preserved the Tsimshian language and carving techniques. After a decade-long career as a teacher and coach, he transitioned into a full-time artist in the mid-1980s, dedicating himself to researching lost ancestral styles. Since then, he has become one of the world's most prolific totem pole carvers, having created over 70 poles, including permanent installations at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and Disney World’s Epcot Center. Beyond his physical carvings—which range from bentwood boxes to masks held in the collections of international royalty—Boxley has served as a vital "culture bearer" by reviving the Potlatch ceremony, forming the acclaimed Git-Hoan dance group, and working to preserve the endangered Tsimshian language. Now residing in Washington, he continues to pass his specialized knowledge to future generations, including his sons, ensuring that the "Alaskan Tsimshian" style remains a living, breathing tradition rather than a museum relic.
