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 Dwayne Simeon was born in 1960 in
Campbell River, British Columbia. He is part
Kwagiulth on his mother’s side and part Squamish on
his father’s side. Dwayne’s interest in Northwest
Coast art began at a young age. He was drawn to
studying and carving in his tradition to rekindle
his culture in his bloodline. He continues to study
the traditional Kwakiutl styles and forms which is
strongly reflected in his carving, yet maintains a
style distinctly his own.
Dwayne has apprenticed under such
internationally known artists as Tony Hunt and John
Livingstone. In 1981, he studied jewellery design at
Vancouver Vocational Institute and in 1982 completed
a one month jewellery making intensive course at the
college. Dwayne also studied silk-screen production
with Philip Oppenheimer at the Vancouver Indian
Centre in 1981. From 1983 to 1986 he taught three
wood carving and design courses in Vancouver.
His works are found in numerous
museums, galleries and private collections in Canada
and the U.S. Commissions include totem poles for
Bruce Howe, Canada Place, Vancouver, as well a totem
pole project with B.C. Tourism currently on display
in Chicago, Illinois. Dwayne has also been a guest
lecturer at the Muhlenburg University in
Pennsylvania, as well he performed a demonstration
of his carving techniques at Expo ’86 for the Folk
Life Programs.
Dwayne was truly born an artist
and has been designing, drawing and carving all his
life. Best known as a carver of masks, he is also
proficient in silver and gold jewellery making.
Dwayne resides in Vancouver.
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