Roy Henry Vickers Gallery
To continue this tour, continue a few doors down Campbell Street to the Mark Hobson Gallery.
Art for me has always been an expression of my love of the west coast of British Columbia. —- Roy Henry Vickers
Built in 1986, this stunning traditional Northwest Coast longhouse with a carved and painted cedar plank exterior and doors of beaten copper, is a recognizable Tofino landmark.
Roy Henry Vickers recalls that the gallery began as a request from local hoteliers in Tofino in the 1980s. “I came to Tofino in 1980 as a fisherman and people were seeing what I was doing.”
After studying First Nations art at the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art in Hazelton, BC, Vickers used those building blocks to create his own unique style.
In his interview, Vickers describes how Tofino was integral to that artistic development, chronicling his artistic journey over a lifetime and his insights on creativity.
As a young artist, Roy Henry Vickers made a promise to himself that he would only work from inspiration—a promise he has kept, inspiring and collaborating with many local and visiting artists. Vickers describes it as his responsibility to share his knowledge.
This in-depth conversation with the now internationally renowned artist continues that generosity of spirit. Enjoy listening to this master storyteller as he shares the essence of his art.
As his artist biography acknowledges, “Roy's father was a fisherman with the blood of three northwest coast First Nations' Tsimshian, Haida and Heiltsuk flowing in his veins. Roy's mother was a schoolteacher whose parents had immigrated to Canada from England. This unusual mixed heritage has had a strong influence on Roy's art.”
To read his full artist biography and learn more about the gallery, please visit: www.royhenryvickers.com
