Welcome to part 2 of “Artist Spotlight”, an ongoing blog series recognizing artists from a variety of communities.

The following interview is conducted and written by Peach, one of the team members here at Liquid Amber.

P - Thanks so much for talking with me today! Can you tell me a little about your lineage and how it has informed your desire to become an artist?

K: I was born and raised on Haida Gwaii my lineage includes Haida and Nishgaa bloodlines, my Haida name is Kwiaahwah and my Kwakwala name is Malidi who I share with my sister Linnea Dick, a name gifted to me by the Late Walis Gyiyam Beau Dick.

I grew up with a fishing family and was able to travel the Northwest Coast all my growing up years till I was about 15. I work in tattoo, Haida design and sometimes I paint.

The coast travails always inspired me to gear my expression toward NWC art and culture from the big House in Alert bay to the far reaches of the west coast.

My love for our art culture and people has always drawn me to be a student and explore all the various elements of high level human expression.

Photo by Graham Richard 2017, Kwiaahwah tattooing Naanii Sphenia, getting ready for the Movie Sg’aawaay K’uuna: the Edge of the knife.

P: Do you know if your community or family lineage has a history of tattooing?

K: This is a whole essay on itself - but in the short term the Haida are amongst the most tattoo’d indigenous cultures in North America and arguably the world.

My great great grandfather, John Cross, was the last to tattoo in my lineage that I know of anyway- and I’m the first in our generation and our time and it feels good to pick up a tattoo needle and bring that ancient love and light to someone; pulling elements of their soul through tattoo to the surface. I grew up in our home with a five foot totem pole done by Old Chinaay Cross and I sometimes like to think that had a huge impact on me, maybe thats where the tattoo medicine lived, and came to me 5 generations later.

I have always wanted to tattoo in my life it might be the influence of the Polynesians growing up (as our family did an annual trip to Hawaii) but I like to think I have always been drawn to it - like its in my blood, when I travel to the west coast of Haida Gwaii I feel some deep affinity to the place always have - and thats the origins of our tattoo culture is among the Kaas Laanas or in english the pitch town people, the giant Haida who stood at 7 feet tall and encompassed the entire SW side of Haida Gwaii. There is something in me that drives me to tattoo and when I do tattoo it’s the first time I ever felt timelessness and a rich connection to our ancestors. - and take solace in one day we will be ancestors too.

P: Is there an important significance in the reason you do the art style that you do?

K: Through all my studies and understandings I have come to realize how rough the Canadian Government and CHURCH worked to destroy us as indigenous people this is my big FAK YOU we still got it - it’s in us.

But, I’m interested in perfecting my practice as a Haida tattoo artist and elevating the art and also uplifting my people. There is nothing better than finishing a tattoo and watching my dear loved ones - my clients walk out like a boss. To me that is a great time spent but it’s also that love of loving people, Humanity and bringing your best to uplift them.

P: Do you do commissioned artwork?

K: I only do commissioned work. But I should get on some flash - one day.

P: What might be a reason you would turn down a commissioned piece?

K: My work honours bloodlines and passions I will tattoo anyone but I need that deep ancestral story or some sense of it. I have tattoo’d some beautiful people of all colours, my only request is that we honour bloodlines - like I’m not interested in tattooing Haida designs on non Haida unless its generic, so many crests belong to our people and I’d like to respect that. But hey, if you want something to honour your lineage, I’m here.

P: What are some of the significant factors about tattooing in your culture?

K: Its ancient and beautiful and speaks to all who encounter it- we have a nation revitalizing itself and I like to think this is a contribution to that beautiful movement. I hope by the time I die lots of people have tattoos and I leave behind a small army so we can keep doing it into the future.

P: Is there specific imagery in your community past and present that is traditionally tattooed?

K: There is, check out https://www.sfu.ca/brc/online_exhibits/haida_tattoo.html ; is a gallery of some old tattoos - thats where I take my inspiration from and adapt, and hopefully expand.

P:Thanks for chatting with me, Kwiaahwah! We look forward to seeing more tattoos from you!

K: Haawa

See more of Kwiaahwah’s work on instagram @Cloudhousetattoo

and check out the following films for more info:

Short Doc, Making the world's first Haida-language feature film, Edge of The Knife: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WwICs7S-AQ.

Short Doc, This Ink Runs Deep, about Indigenous Tattooing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2Mm_p1469I

Skindigenous Episode featuring Kwiaahwah: https://skindigenous.tv/videos/season-2/episode-haida-gwaii/