SJIMA Blog

Rande Cook in Shapeshifters at SJIMA: Bridging Worlds Through Contemporary Vision

West Coast Kwakwaka’wakw MFA artist Rande Cook is featured in SJIMA’s Shapeshifters exhibition, on view through September 15, 2025. A hereditary chief and innovative contemporary artist, Cook bridges ancestral teachings with modern expression in works such as Sisiutl, Salmon Run, and Beyond the Mask, inviting viewers to experience transformation, balance, and connection across cultures.

SJIMA

Aug 193 min read

A man standing confidently in front of a wooden structure with a sign reading "AHTSIK Native Art Gallery" and "Gordon Dick, Artist/Owner." The setting includes logs, tools, and a garage door, with a forested background. The man is dressed in a blue shirt, black vest, and gray pants. Photo by Melissa Renwick, ©2023.

Gordon Dick: Honoring Story and Spirit in Wood

Rooted in his Tseshaht heritage on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Gordon Dick has been immersed in the cultural and artistic traditions of his community since childhood.

SJIMA

Aug 13 min read

Five colorful glass fish sculptures mounted on a light gray wall, casting shadows. Each fish displays a unique blend of vibrant hues.

Dan Friday: Shaping Stories in Glass

Seattle-based glass artist Dan Friday, a member of the Lummi Nation, blends Coast Salish tradition with contemporary glass techniques to tell powerful cultural stories. Discover how his work—featured in SJIMA’s Shapeshifters exhibition—transforms light, form, and heritage into timeless art.

SJIMA

Jul 253 min read

Christian White, Haida artist, wearing a woven headband and black vest, sits holding a carved argillite sculpture while being interviewed by SJIMA docent Marney Reynolds, who is smiling and wearing glasses and a purple shirt. They are seated in the gallery surrounded by carved and painted cedar bentwood boxes featuring traditional Northwest Coast Indigenous designs.

Christian White: Master Haida Artist Featured at SJIMA’s Shapeshifters Exhibition

Christian White's artistic practice is characterized by extraordinary versatility. He is acclaimed for his skill in carving argillite, a rare black slate exclusively accessible to Haida artists.

SJIMA

Jun 273 min read