|
Design into Fashion
I formed Haida Designs to create a link to my Haida heritage. The decision to share my work with the rest of the world came from a positive reaction to art pieces I created.
I had not thought about being an artist until the early 1990's, when a friend suggested I utilize my sewing experience to create fabric art pieces. I created my first garment at the age of 11, at which my father learned how to carve. Since then, I have made garments of every imaginable style and function. My natural creativity and artistic background come together to form "delicately fashioned designs." Expressions of argillite totem poles and cedar bentwood boxes are depicted onto wall hangings. Crests are moulded to fit the curves of clothing designed for the wearer. Blankets are formed with figures drawn from family clan histories and outlined with pearle or shell buttons.
Depicting art onto fabric does not come without challenges. Cutting to form a design with 'clean' lines requires practice and patience. Placement and stitching design onto the main fabric requires experience. Hand sewing hundreds of buttons on to ceremonial blankets is labour intensive. I occasionally use a design drawn by an artist other than myself. The fabrics utilized are wool, cashmere and ultra suede in combination with abalone, acoya, oyster shell and pearl buttons.
My mission is to create clothing that is comfortable to wear, taking into consideration the changing roles we play in this fast paced world. I have integrated traditional with modern structures for the creation of well balanced designs that are guaranteed to attract attention.
Brief Family History
Stephany Pryce: Born in Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is.) Eagle Clan
Crests: Frog, Raven, Eagle, Grizzly, Killer Whale, Flicker Bird and Clouds
The number of crests I can use are affiliated with chieftainship on both sides of the family.
Norman Price, Father: Raven Clan
Born on the remote island of Hippa, on the West Coast of the Charlottes. His father was Jimmy Jones and was adopted to acquire the Price name. During his last year of school, at age 11, he learned carving from Charles Gladstone. His preference is to carve argillite and cedar totem poles with crests: beaver, bear, raven, eagle and grizzly.
Randy Price, Brother: Eagle Clan
He has carved argillite pipes and free forms, all of which are in private collections. He currently carves gold jewellery and cedar masks.
Charles Gladstone 1878 - 1954, Great Uncle
Charles Gladstone was the grandfather of Bill Reid and brother to Louis Collinson. He was born in Skidegate and his main crest utilized was the dogfish. He was close to well-known artist, Charles Edenshaw, of Masset. He was one of the best carvers of wood and argillite in addition to being an excellent silversmith.
Clarence Dempsey Collinson, Uncle: Eagle Clan
Currently the Chief of Skidegate village.
Louis Collinson 1881 - 1970, Great Grandfather
He was the chief of Skidegate until his death in 1970. He was also known as Tom Collinson. In the 1940's he was considered one of top three argillite sculptors alongside William Dixon and Charles Edenshaw. The curio trade preferred his art, which consists mainly of totems. Medicine men are attributed to him as well as Bear Mother. Pieces such as smoking pipes would be found in the Deasy and McKay collections.
Acknowledgements: Argillite by Douglas Wilson and Haida Carvers by M. Barbeau
|
|
