Rainbow Creek dancers to perform Oct. 21 at WWU

The Western Gallery will present “The Art of Robert Davidson” from Oct. 3 through Nov. 22.

Robert Davidson is one of Canada’s most respected contemporary artists as well as an important cultural leader in the renaissance of native art and culture. A Northwest Coast native of Haida descent, he is a master carver of totem poles and masks. He also works in a variety of other media as a printmaker, painter and jeweler. Davidson is renowned for developing the traditional Haida forms in an unparalleled abstract style incorporating his personal interpretations.

The exhibition at WWU will feature more than 50 of Davidson’s works dating from the beginning of his career to present day. Among the pieces showcased will be sculptures, prints and a traditional button blanket created by Davidson along with his grandmother.

The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Davidson’s work is found in private and public collections throughout the world, and he has received many honors for his accomplishments, including the Order of Canada, the Order of British Columbia, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Aboriginal Achievement Foundation and membership in the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.

In conjunction with the exhibition, Davidson will bring the Rainbow Creek Dancers to Western’s campus for a public performance at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, in the PAC Mainstage Theater. The evening will celebrate the important roles of song, dance and art in native culture with performances by the Rainbow Creek Dancers, from Vancouver, B.C., and Seattle's Git-hoan Native Dance Group. Davidson will provide narration. Tickets range from $9 to $15 and can be purchased through the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6146 or http://www.tickets.wwu.edu.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Wednesdays, when the gallery is open until 8 p.m., and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. For more event details, please visit http://westerngallery.wwu.edu/.