ELK MASK
A rising star of Northwest Coastal artwork, Ernest Puglas’ creates cedar carving in the Kwakwaka’wakw traditions, which emphasize bold, flowing form line design (curved lines, shaping faces, animals, and beings).
Each piece incorporates layered figures with symbolic imagery tied to ancestry, clan crests, and oral histories. His carvings are not abstract, they are rather more story based and representational.
He often depicts human ancestors, animals and also hybrid figures that connect to the spiritual world. A key visual feature is that his carvings often retain a visible knife finish, and you can see the texture of each cut in the cedar, giving the surface a rhythmic, almost wave-like movement.
If you have always wanted to add a beautiful piece of indigenous Canadian artwork to your collection then Ernest has some wonderful pieces to choose from that are authentic and impactful.
