Bill Reid: Beyond the Essential Form

Patricia Vervoort is an assistant professor of art history at Lakehead
University.

This elegant little book was published as an accompaniment to an exhibition of Bill Reid’s work at the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology; itis not an exhibition catalogue. A gold and abalone eagle brooch appears on the black cover and displays Reid’s fine craftsmanship. Numerous black-and-white photographs and a section of color photos reveal the great range of his work from totem poles, canoes, and wood and metal sculpture to numerous pieces of exquisite jewelry.

A series of essays is arranged chronologically to describe the life and artistic development of the artist. Each chapter is accompanied by illustrations of works executed by Reid and the text provides explanations of the mythical importance of the animal motifs. The discussion centres on Reid as the important figure in reviving Haida art forms and the criticism that he is a copyist and not an innovator. Although the criticisms are mentioned and make the text appear to be objective, the origin of many of the critical remarks is not identified; however, the list of notes at the end of the text includes bibliographic sources. Robert Davidson, a Haida artist, claims Reid deals with the forms of Haida art, but lacks ceremonial, i.e., potlatch experience which requires living in Haida society. Reid’s totem pole and canoe for Skidegate and his involvement in the forestry-heritage debates concerning South Moresby Island indicate his increasing concern with Haida life.

This is a timely problem in contemporary art as arguments of native versus Canadian art are debated. Duffek’s thesis is that the contemporary expression of Haida themes in the work of Bill Reid is universally appealing and that Reid has explored “not only the constraints but also the freedom of transforming traditions.” Emphasis on the well-made object bridges all “contradictions of time and place.” This well-crafted little book and its reasonable price should bring Reid’s work to a wider audience.