Bernard Kerrigan’s Haida Art

Bernard Kerrigan spent much of his younger life in Quesnel, BC and then completed his post-secondary education in the Vancouver area. After living in Vancouver for several years, Bernard was looking for a change of pace from the hustle and bustle of city life. Bernard's wife grew up on Haida Gwaii, and having spent many vacations on the islands, he decided it would be the perfect place to live and pursue his creative interests while getting in touch with his heritage. He moved to Haida Gwaii in 2000 and has reveled in the calm and quiet of the area ever since. He says he doesn't miss traffic or commuting in the least. "It's like living in a vacation spot all year long!" he declares.

Bernard first took up carving in 1980, learning the art from an uncle. He started out working with silver and then gold a couple of years later. Today he also works with the argillite that is characteristic of Haida Gwaii and Haida culture. He creates two-dimensional sculptures on jewellery pieces as well as other kinds of three-dimensional sculptures. Bernard does all of his work using a hand-engraver rather than a power engraver as some carvers do, and he creates from his in-home studio where he also entertains Haida art seekers who drop by. He's starting to outgrow his in-home studio, though, and has plans to build a freestanding art studio in the next few years.

Carving and jewellery making are Bernard's dominant hobbies, but he dabbles in carpentry and plans to build his studio himself. He also enjoys spending time with his friends and family when he's not working.