Alone among the carvers of 'Ksan, Vernon Stephens believes that the stories and legends are not the property of individuals, as in the past, but are owned by all the people and are free for artists to use. He has built an important narrative painting style around this belief in association with his carving… Stephens is particularly noted for his carved storage boxes [1].

No stranger to large works, Stephens has created designs on the exterior walls of two plank-and-beam houses at 'Ksan. Other major commissions include the carved entry doors of the UBC Museum of Anthropology, working with his friend Earl Muldon (see next lot).

1. Part of a commentary on a painted wooden Clan Hat, 1983, in Ralph T. Coe, Lost and Found Traditions: Native American Art 1965-1985 (New York/Vancouver: American Federation of Arts/D&M, 1986) cat. 375.

Lot 75