Artist: James McGuire

James McGuire was born on September 27, 1953 at Queen Charlotte City on Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands), British Columbia, Canada. Growing up, James spent hours watching (and learning from) his uncle, Edmund Caulder, carve in both wood and argillite. His older brother, the late Patrick McGuire, was also an inspiration in his study of and attention to argillite carving.

By 1970, James was carving and subsidizing his art with a job in the forest industry. He moved in 1976 to Vancouver where he learned to carve in silver and gold from renowned Haida artist, Gerry Marks. Marks taught him how to temper and to make tools from tempered steel.

In the Haida tradition, James creates unique eye catching designs which are one of a kind with much attention to detail. The parameters of basic Haida design are adhered to in his works that are among the finest of Haida art creations. James is a member of the Stastas Eagle Clan from Skidegate on Haida Gwaii. His nannai (grandmother), Mary Tulip, was the eldest niece of Charles Edenshaw the famous Haida Carver of Skidegate.

In 2005 James attended two seminars presented by Master of Haida Art, Robert Davidson, CM. OBC where James received a Certicate titled, “Being Successful is No Accident”. This certificate hangs in his workshop proudly displayed for all to see. James lives and works in Vancouver BC.