“Klatle-bhi (pronounced “Cloth-Bay”) was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia in 1966. He began his life as an artist studying the works of his ancestors featured in museums and galleries. He spent many hours with artists Beau Dick, Wayne Alfred, Wade Baker and Rick Harry, absorbing their understanding and knowledge of native culture. His uncle, T. Richard Baker, also shared with Klatle-bhi the knowledge he gained over a period of many years working with renowned Haida artists Bill Reid, Robert Davidson and Jim Hart.” (klatle-bhi.com)
Klatle-bhi ran a workshop for the 1st year Product Design cohort as part of their Design History course. He started by introducing the class to West Coast art, then guided them through a charcoal sketching exercise so that they could each create artwork personalized to them.
Design instructor Susan Ju describes the workshop,
“We were fortunate that Pam Baker, our Indigenous designer in residence, was able to invite West Coast artist Klatle-bhi, to our DEPD (Product Design) History class on March 29. As the course content is predominately Eurocentric, I was interested in introducing the students to an Indigenous perspective. Klatle-bhi shared his personal story and his inspiration for his artwork while leading the students through a sketching workshop, which introduced them to Coast Salish art. The students had the opportunity to sketch their interpretation of their spirit animal.”
In his carving, which has evolved over the years, Klatle-bhi is committed to the spiritual and cultural expression of his ancestors. Many of his carvings express his own personal and spiritual journey through life.
From klatle-bhi.com
We are so grateful that Klatle-bhi could visit KPU and share his experience and knowledge of West Coast art with our students.
