Alano Edzerza

The Tahltan nation is located in the North West corner of British Columbia, Canada, and is the largest traditional territory in the province. Tahltan culture reflects a mix of both Athabascan and Coastal traditions. They have two clans: Tsesk’iye (Raven clan) and Ch’iyone (Wolf clan). Alano Edzerza belongs to the Raven clan and feels a deep connection to the Tahltan creation story featuring the Raven.

He has been an artist since he could hold a pencil and received a sculpture award at the age of thirteen from the school board of Victoria.  This early talent developed rapidly into a professional career with pieces being sold internationally.  Edzerza began working in Northwest Coast art under the tutelage of his family member, fellow Tahltan artist, Terrence Campbell.

In 2002 Edzerza furthered his education by attending school in Arizona for jewelry making under the instruction of Rick Charlie.  He has also had the opportunity to work with artists Jay Simeon, Marcel Russ, Philip Gray, Corey Bulpitt, Beau Dick, Mark Preston and Dempsey Bob.

Edzerza was given his first solo show by Stonington Gallery in 2007. In 2010 he was commissioned by the Vancouver Olympic Committee to create a large scale glass installation at Rogers Arena. ASICS and the Dutch Olympic Team contracted him to help design their uniforms for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Since then Alano has been involved in many commissions, including law firms and development projects on traditional native land.

Edzerza has taught and volunteered with the youth organizations KAYA (Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association), the Freida Diesing School for Northwest Coast Native Art, and NYAC (Native Youth Arts Collective) as well as been a judge for the YVR Art Foundation Scholarship for young Native artists. In 2009 he was the recipient of the 2009 30 & Under Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

If you were to walk around, two hundred years ago, from California to Alaska you would see, wear and live Northwest Coast art and Culture. I want to be a part of the movement that will allow this to happen once again.

Peoples of the Northwest Coast did not develop a written language, they developed an art form to tell the stories of our histories. This art form developed into one of the most advanced art forms in the world. This is also what makes this art so beautiful. The ways that balance is used within the formline. When you look at a piece your eye subconsciously continues to move studying the design because one shape flows into the next using variation of curves and thicknesses. This is the art of a once-dying culture. It’s the art that is bringing the culture back alive. This is the reason why I work so hard towards my goal.                                                     

   -Alano Edzerza