Wayne Alfred

Wayne Alfred was born in 1958 in Alert Bay on Vancouver Island. He grew up exposed to traditional ceremonies and art forms and was initiated into the Hamatsa secret society. As a ceremonial dancer, his career as an artist began with an deep understanding of masks and ceremonial objects. In 1986, Wayne moved to Vancouver to aid Beau Dick on a totem pole that had been commissioned by the City of Vancouver for Stanley Park. While in Vancouver he worked on other monumental projects created for Expo '86. In 1990 Wayne returned to Alert Bay to instruct and oversee carving projects. In 2012 Wayne was awarded with a BC Creative Achievement Award for First Nation's Art.