Klatle-Bhi (pronounced “Cloth-Bay”) was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia in 1966. He began his life as an artist studying the works of his ancestors featured in museums and galleries. Klatle-Bhi spent many hours with artists Beau Dick, Wayne Alfred, Wade Baker and Rick Harry, absorbing their understanding and knowledge of native culture. He comes from a very traditionally rooted family where Squamish and Kwakwaka’wakw cultures are a large part of everyday life. Through his carving, which has evolved over 25 years, Klatle-Bhi is committed to the spiritual and cultural expression of his ancestors.
Many of his carvings express his own personal and spiritual journey through life. He has developed a style of carving which is unique and distinctive. It is his goal to achieve the highest level of craftsmanship and artistry that this cultural medium will allow. He believes that his journey as an artist has just begun.
In 2008, Klatle-Bhi was commissioned by Petro-Canada to carve a 22-foot totem pole for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics as part of their national sponsorship of the games, and after the Olympics, the pole stands as a permanent installment in the atrium of Petro-Canada’s Calgary Headquarters.
Klatle-Bhi’s artwork can be found in various public museums, including the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City and the Burke Memorial Museum of Natural History in Seattle. Klatle-Bhi has also created large scale commissions for corporate offices across Canada, and for private collections around the world.
