Wolves: The Art of Dempsey Bob

Story by Katherine Fawcett | Images by Joern Rohde

The atmosphere on the opening weekend of the new exhibition Wolves: The Art of Dempsey Bob at the revered Audain Art Museum seemed especially charged. There was an energy that emanated not only from the artist himself — a lively and charming man who, in his 70s, has a distinctly boyish and playful nature as he tells stories, laughs with visitors and talks about his artwork, collaborations, and inspirations — but from the pieces themselves. The sculptures, masks, bronze casts, prints, panels and regalia on display from room to breathtaking room seemed to arise from dreams, legends and animal spirits. Each shimmered with a life history and wisdom of its own.

Dempsey Bob Wolf Chief’s Hat, c. 1993 red cedar, acrylic paint, operculum shell, horsehair, leather, ermine. Collection of Eric Savics

Dempsey Bob, The Smart One, 1989 alder wood, acrylic paint, fur
Private Collection

Bob’s masks of alder and cedar feature curved surfaces so smooth and soft looking that they appear to have been carved of butter. Yet the deep, intricate grooves, cuts and designs that play with the wood’s natural grain demonstrate a depth of skill, patience and understanding of the medium that only a master carver with decades of experience can achieve. Many of his sculptures and masks include secondary materials such as operculum shell, horsehair, leather and even sea lion whiskers. Some are highlighted with acrylic paint; others are bronze castings. Jewellery created from silver and gold had museum visitors marvelling at the intricate detailing, the imaginative design and the bold statements.

As a young artist living in Prince Rupert, Dempsey was a student of the great carver Freda Diesing. As one of Canada’s most esteemed artists, he continues to pass on her legacy and the traditions of the wolf clan and Northwest Coast carvers to students. Bob was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2013 for his lifetime of work as a carver and art teacher, and for his dedication to Tahltan-Tlingit cultural preservation. He was also a recipient of a Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts in 2021.

Dempsey Bob, The Smart One, 1989 alder wood, acrylic paint, fur
Private Collection

Dempsey Bob, Frog Spoon, c.1996
gold, sheep horn
Collection of Eric Savics

Dempsey Bob, Good Luck Story, c. 1990 red cedar, alder wood, acrylic paint
Collection of Eric Savics

Dempsey Bob, Eagle Chief’s Frontlet, c. 1992 Alder wood, acrylic paint, abalone shell, sea lion whiskers, ermine fur
Dempsey Bob, Eagle Chief’s Robe, c. 1992 Melton cloth, leather, abalone shell buttons, acrylic paint, deer hooves
Collection of Eric Savics

Wolves: The Art of Dempsey Bob is made possible by the support of Presenting Sponsor RBC.
The exhibition is on display in Whistler until Aug. 14, 2022.
Visit audainartmuseum.com for more information.