Rattle depicting Qwatxayu (Human)
by Brian Perry, S'Klallam
alder, river pebbles, waxed cotton wrap
11" tall x 4" wide x 3.5" deep
*custom made stand included
"My name is Brian Perry, I was raised on the Port Gamble S’Klallam Indian Reservation. I grew up around carvers but didn’t really start carving myself until September of 1998 when my sister introduced me to David Boxley. I took three classes with Mr. Boxley, box making, formline design and masks. It was a lot of fun taking classes with Mr. Boxley a lot of the people in the class were also in his dance group and often someone would say lets sing the carving song and some one would pick up a drum and they would all start singing.
Another person I learned a lot from was Ed Charles. Mr. Charles apprenticed with Duane Pasco. Ed worked a lot with me on Nuu Chah Nulth and Bella Coola styles. Currently I have been learning from Duane Pasco and David Franklin. David Franklin also apprenticed with Mr. Pasco and has become a good friend. Duane married into my family so it has been real convenient for me to tap into his knowledge and expertise. I am grateful for all that I have learned from these guys.
My art has been exhibited in art galleries in Seattle, Portland and Olympia. I have sold pieces to private collectors in New York, New Mexico and Pennsylvania as well as here in Washington.
For the past eighteen years I have been employed by the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. My job title is fisheries technician IV. I operate an autofish trailer for the NWIFC, which entails traveling to Western Washington Treaty salmon hatcheries and supervising tagging operations.
I am married and have two children. Being a father and working in the Natural Resource field has made me aware of how fragile our environment and life is. I love trying to capture the essence of god’s creatures great and small in my art form." - Brian Perry, 2006
