ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Canadian artist ROY HENRY VICKERS is a world-renowned printmaker, painter, carver, designer, author, and sought-after keynote speaker. Influenced by his mixed heritage, he developed a unique artistic style, which is identifiable through clean lines, vivid colours, and natural themes drawn from the rugged beauty of British Columbia. Roy merges his traditional indigenous art with a contemporary style, appealing to a universal spirit. His artwork is held in museums and private collections internationally. In 1986 Roy opened his gallery in Tofino BC, inspired by the architecture of his ancestors.
Roy Henry Vickers was born June 4th, 1946, in Greenville, BC. His father was a fisherman of Haida, Heiltsuk, and Tsimshian ancestry, and Roy's mother was a teacher of mixed European heritage. The Vickers family lived in Kitkatla, Hazelton, and Victoria. In 1973, Roy began studying traditional Native art at the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art in Ksan, BC.
Over the years, Roy has received many honours for his work. In 1987, at the Commonwealth Summit in Vancouver, the original painting of Roy's 'A Meeting of Chiefs' was the official gift of the Province of British Columbia to Queen Elizabeth II. Between 1987 and 1995, Vickers sat on the board of Directors as the Artistic Advisor for the Vancouver International Airport's new terminal, where his work is still prominently displayed. During the Vancouver Summit in 1993, former Soviet leader Yeltsin and former U.S. president Clinton received artist's proofs of Roy's print 'The Homecoming' as the province's official gift. In 1994, Roy was the first artist to be included by Maclean's magazine in its Annual Honour Roll of Extraordinary Canadian Achievers. In 1998, he received the Order of British Columbia in recognition of his significant contributions to society. In 2003, Roy received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canadian culture, and in 2007 was awarded the prestigious Order of Canada. In 2018, Roy received a Grammy nomination for his design work on the box set of CD recordings by The Grateful Dead. Most recently, Roy was appointed the inaugural Elder in Residence for the BC Arts Council, a key role in affecting change towards indigenous self-determination and equity.
Roy has completed many sculptures, including the Salmon Totem for Victoria's 1994 Commonwealth Aquatic Centre. He is most proud of The Raven Totem carved for The House of Walkus in Owikeeno. He is also the author and illustrator of numerous books, including his award-winning children's books.
Roy currently resides on the majestic Skeena River near Hazelton, BC, where he continues to find inspiration in the natural world.