Artist: Dracy Basil

Nation : Salish

At the age of 9 Darcy Basil moved to Alert Bay where he learnt traditional Kwagiulth design and fundamentals at the Namgis Band School. Next door to the school was the community carving shop where he learned basic carving skills from Beau Dick and Wayne Alfred and watched these master carvers create amazing works.

Darcy then moved to Victoria where he met Carey Newman and observed Carey create many beautiful works using metal, stone, wood, and printmaking. The decision to pursue carving as a profession began in 2011 when he met master carver Chris Sparrow and his late father Irvin Sparrow in Musqueam. He apprenticed with Chris and quickly adopted the traditional Coast Salish style as well as the unique design characteristics that define Chris Sparrows’ truly special works of art.

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