Echoes of the Supernatural: The Graphic Art of Robert Davidson

Finalist for the BC & Yukon Book Prizes Roderick Haig-Brown Regional Prize

An exhilarating tour of a half-century of mastery and innovation of Haida formline by the most prominent Northwest Coast artist of his generation.

Robert Davidson, a leading Northwest Coast artist of his generation, has spent over sixty years creating remarkable pieces of art. After leaving Haida Gwaii to pursue art in Vancouver, he has walked in two worlds. While Davidson is a host of potlatches and performs and teaches traditional Haida songs and dances, he also works as an artist in serigraphy, acrylics, wood, silver and aluminum. He has been a key figure in revitalizing Haida culture after colonization and as an artist, brought new energy to Haida formline. Davidson is one of Canada’s most revered artists and a significant figure internationally.

Echoes of the Supernatural is the first major publication in over forty years to document Davidson’s extensive career. The book features more than 150 prints, with over fifty paintings, along with photos of painted woven hats, carved sculptures, jewelry and aluminum pieces, plus archival images. Gary Wyatt, Davidson's longtime gallerist, helped shape this retrospective by drawing on Davidson's archives and new interviews. The foreword by Karen Duffek (MOA Curator, Contemporary Visual Arts + Pacific Northwest) places Davidson’s work within the broader Northwest Coast art world.