BAKER NEIL

Neil Baker was born in 1960 into the Coast Salish Nation on the Stawumus Reservation in British Columbia. Neil is a self-taught artist who began carving at the age of twelve. He cites his grandmother, Sadie Baker of Nanaimo, as his inspiration. Neil spent many hours watching his grandmother weave delicate baskets. He prefers to work in wood, creating hand carved rattles, totem poles, plaques and masks.
Neil Baker’s father is Coast Salish; his mother, Kwakiutl. His mother comes from the renowned Scow family of Alert Bay. Today Neil lives in the community of Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.
Neil has carved under the guidance of his father, as well as Coast Salish artist, Chief Floyd Joseph of the Capilano Reserve in North Vancouver, B.C. (Floyd Joseph is known by his native name TY-EE and is of the Squamish Nation.) Neil’s father was known for his carving of totem poles.
Neil’s finely carved plaques and masks are of traditional North West Coast motifs: raven, eagle, wolf, killer whale, salmon, beaver and bear. He carves in both red and yellow cedar and is known for this steady carving hand and attention to detail.