Ron Joseph Telek
Encyclopedia
Ron Joseph Telek is a Canadian First Nations
sculptor. He is a member of the Laxsgiik
(Eagle Clan) of the Nisga'a
nation of northwestern British Columbia
, and carries the hereditary name of Jagam Txalp meaning Four Canoes Coming into the Village. Telek's primary medium for his sculptures is wood, although he also includes other materials such as bone, moose hair and abalone into his work.
Telek comes from a family of artists, with both his uncles, Alver Tait and Norman Tait
, also Nisga'a nation carvers. Norman Tait is considered the foremost modern Nisga'a artist and, as Telek's maternal uncle, has acted as a teacher to Telek— greatly influencing his work. Telek began carving under the guidance of Tait in 1983, while attending high school in Vancouver. The two have worked together on numerous commissions for the carving of several totem poles, including one in Stanley Park
and two for the Capilano Mall
in North Vancouver in the 1980's.
Since his apprenticeship, Telek has developed his own personal style using traditional Northwest coast techniques which has been particularly impacted by a near-death experience in a car accident which has led him to deal with the theme of transformation. His style has also been influenced by his study of anatomy and African, Japanese, and Italian sculpting techniques at Langara College
in Vancouver. Telek’s first gallery exhibition was at the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver in 1985. Since that time, Telek has exhibited in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria. He has produced a variety of works, including wooden bowls and puppets though his primary focus has been on the creation of masks. These carved masks, which he often leaves unpainted to show the natural beauty of wood, represent spiritual beings and take a form similar to the spirit masks called Nax Nox.
Telek's work is both metaphysical and psychological in nature and largely concerned with the shamanistic elements of his traditions. It depicting such elements as spirit-helpers and his own dualistic vision of good and evil. An especially important topic in his work is shapeshifting
and the transformation of humans into animals, or animals into other animals. He uses a shamanic traditional carving style reminiscent of the Nisga'a Gitsontk artists, who produced objects such as masks and puppets that were used in sacred ceremonies.
Telek currently lives in Terrace, British Columbia
.
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
sculptor. He is a member of the Laxsgiik
Laxsgiik
The Laxsgiik is the name for the Eagle "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska...
(Eagle Clan) of the Nisga'a
Nisga'a
The Nisga’a , often formerly spelled Nishga and spelled in the Nisga’a language as Nisga’a, are an Indigenous nation or First Nation in Canada. They live in the Nass River valley of northwestern British Columbia. Their name comes from a combination of two Nisga’a words: Nisk’-"top lip" and...
nation of northwestern British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, and carries the hereditary name of Jagam Txalp meaning Four Canoes Coming into the Village. Telek's primary medium for his sculptures is wood, although he also includes other materials such as bone, moose hair and abalone into his work.
Telek comes from a family of artists, with both his uncles, Alver Tait and Norman Tait
Norman Tait
Norman Tait is a Canadian First Nations artist and totem pole carver from the Nisga'a nation of northwestern British Columbia.He was born in Kincolith on the Nass River in B.C., the son of Josiah Tait, also a carver and the great-grandson of Chief Alfred Watson Mountain, Sganism Sim'oogit.He is a...
, also Nisga'a nation carvers. Norman Tait is considered the foremost modern Nisga'a artist and, as Telek's maternal uncle, has acted as a teacher to Telek— greatly influencing his work. Telek began carving under the guidance of Tait in 1983, while attending high school in Vancouver. The two have worked together on numerous commissions for the carving of several totem poles, including one in Stanley Park
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is a 404.9 hectare urban park bordering downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was opened in 1888 by David Oppenheimer in the name of Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor-General of Canada....
and two for the Capilano Mall
Capilano Mall
Capilano Mall is a shopping mall in the City of North Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. It is located on Marine Drive, near the city's western border with the District of North Vancouver...
in North Vancouver in the 1980's.
Since his apprenticeship, Telek has developed his own personal style using traditional Northwest coast techniques which has been particularly impacted by a near-death experience in a car accident which has led him to deal with the theme of transformation. His style has also been influenced by his study of anatomy and African, Japanese, and Italian sculpting techniques at Langara College
Langara College
Langara College is a public degree-granting college in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada which serves approximately 20,000 students annually through its university, career, and continuing studies programs...
in Vancouver. Telek’s first gallery exhibition was at the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver in 1985. Since that time, Telek has exhibited in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria. He has produced a variety of works, including wooden bowls and puppets though his primary focus has been on the creation of masks. These carved masks, which he often leaves unpainted to show the natural beauty of wood, represent spiritual beings and take a form similar to the spirit masks called Nax Nox.
Telek's work is both metaphysical and psychological in nature and largely concerned with the shamanistic elements of his traditions. It depicting such elements as spirit-helpers and his own dualistic vision of good and evil. An especially important topic in his work is shapeshifting
Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting is a common theme in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. It is also found in epic poems, science fiction literature, fantasy literature, children's literature, Shakespearean comedy, ballet, film, television, comics, and video games...
and the transformation of humans into animals, or animals into other animals. He uses a shamanic traditional carving style reminiscent of the Nisga'a Gitsontk artists, who produced objects such as masks and puppets that were used in sacred ceremonies.
Telek currently lives in Terrace, British Columbia
Terrace, British Columbia
Terrace is a city on the Skeena River in British Columbia, Canada. The Kitselas people, a tribe of the Tsimshian Nation, have lived in the Terrace area for thousands of years. The community population fell between 2001 and 2006 from 12,109 with a regional population of 19,980 to 11,320 and...
.