D’Arcy Basil

D’Arcy Basil is a Secwepemc artist living on the unceded Musqueam traditional territory. He has a background in sculpting, stone carving, wood carving, and jade carving. In addition to traditional Indigenous art forms he also has attended the Digital Graphic Design / 3D Animation Programs at Capilano University and BCIT.

D’Arcy Basil grew up influenced by his mother, who was an artist and introduced him to drawing and sculpting modeling clay from the age of three.

Growing up in Alert Bay he went to the T’lisa̱lagi’lakw School where he was introduced to classes in Northwest Coast form line design and painting (Kwakwaka’wakw) as part of the curriculum. He also had his first introduction to carving from legendary Kwakwaka’wakw Master Carvers Beau Dick and Wayne Alfred when he was growing up there. He started his apprenticeship with Master Carver Chris Sparrow (Musqueam) and his late father Irvin Sparrow several years ago and started carving as a full time career.

The legends and coastal wildlife are the main inspirations for the artistic sculptures that D’Arcy creates, which are primarily made of marble, alabaster, black clorite, and green clorite. Now, he is turning his focus to jade carving after taking a jade carving workshop hosted by Deborah Wilson, one of Canada’s best jade sculptors – and an international award winner. D’Arcy is currently being mentored by Lyle Sopel, an amazing jade carver who has over 40 years of experience.

His carvings and sculptures in wood, stone, and metal have been collected both locally and internationally.

D’Arcy says of himself, “I am always looking to be innovative and hold true to the traditional design elements I was taught. As I develop my own style and creative expression I strive for excellence and put love into all my creations.”