Artist

Sutherland, Morris

Title

Kaa-In

Technique

serigraph

Date

2004

Type

print

Accession Number

EC2014.11.4

Collection

Education Collection

Morris (Moy) Sutherland is from Ahousaht First Nations, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. He carries two traditional names: Hiish-Miik, which translates as “someone who gets whatever they are after” and Chiotun from the Coast Salish village of Sliammon, which translates as “someone who helps.” Born on January 4, 1974, Sutherland grew up immersed in his culture and its traditions. In 1994, he began his artistic career in Alert Bay, BC, learning the principals of carving. Upon mastering basic techniques, Sutherland moved home to his traditional territory to learn more about Nuu-chah-nulth art forms, thus broadening his horizons to include the Nuu-chah-nulth style. Even at the beginning of his artistic career, Moy demonstrated intelligence and meticulousness as an artist. In 2000, Sutherland’s artistic development became further focused when he began an apprenticeship with world-renowned Nuu-chah-nulth artist Arthur Thompson. Thompson mentored Sutherland until Thompson’s death in March of 2003. While working with Thompson, Sutherland furthered his understanding of Nuu-chah-nulth design structure and refined his skills. Through assisting with, and later working on projects together, Thompson also shared his vast knowledge of totem pole carving, traditional bentwood box construction, and articulated mask structure and assembly.