Northwest Coast , Nanaimo, British Colombia, Salish, John Gibson (b. 1950), signed “Stomish, KUL-KA-LEETH” ca. third quarter of 20th century. A hand-carved and beautifully painted wooden (either cedar or alder) mask with copper eyes and a very expressive visage overall by John Gibson who signs his masks with the name “Stomish” which means warrior. Gibson has been carving since the late 1960s. Gibson learned to carve as a child. His father taught him canoe carving techniques at the tender age of seven. As a teen, Gibson worked on totem poles with his uncle Spencer. During his twenties, the family of Jack James adopted him, and since then, he has continued to carve masks and totem poles. Size: 7.75″ W x 11.7″ H (19.7 cm x 29.7 cm)
