The business name Ahtsik symbolizes Gordon’s creativity and love for art. He is Nuu-chah-nulth from the Tsheshaht tribe on the West Coast of Vancouver Island where he grew up and still resides. At an early age, Gordon was taught traditional teachings and values from his grandparents, Alan and Agnes Dick. It was from these stories and teachings from family that Gordon’s artistic vision was born.
Gordon has been developing as an artist from the age of fifteen years old. He has worked in a variety of mediums, including: painting, drawing, ceramics and woodcarving. Gordon engraves West Coast Native art in gold, silver, and copper. His original designs are both contemporary and traditional, combining a variety of metals and precious stones. He pays attention to detail, by sculpting his carving to provide dimension. Each creation is unique and a wearable piece of Art.
Woodcarving is a great passion of Gordon’s. In the summer of 2005 he worked under Tim Paul carving two 25 –27 foot totem poles for Tsehshaht territory. He has also completed double doors to the New Tseshaht Administration building. Furthermore, he carved two supporting posts and entrance panel to his studio Gallery. He would like to continue doing decorative structural Art for buildings. He completed a 23 foot totem Pole for Tseshaht to commemorate the Residential School survivors of Alberni Residential School. This pole was raised April 30, 2010. Gordon continues to expand his art into new mediums.
Source: Text Copyright of the Ahtsik Native Art Gallery website
Artists Statement
I am Nuu-chah-nulth from the Tseshaht tribe on the west coast of Vancouver Island where I grew up and still reside. At an early age, I was taught the traditional teachings and values of my grandparents, Alan and Agnes Dick. It was from their stories and teachings that my artistic vision was born.
I have been developing as an artist from the age of fifteen, working in a variety of media, such as painting, drawing, ceramics and wood carving. I engrave West Coast Native art in gold, silver and copper. My original designs are both contemporary and traditional, combining a variety of metals and precious stones. The attention to detail and the creative combination of materials makes each piece unique.