CULTURAL GROUP:

Squamish

BORN:
1955

BIRTHPLACE:

Mission, B.C.

HOMETOWN:

Whonnock Reserve #1, Ruskin, B.C.

Peter was introduced to carving by his maternal uncle, who not only taught him how to carve but also told him stories and passed on cultural knowledge. He spent most of his adult life working in the local forest industry at a mill until it closed in 2009. Soon after, his nephew recruited him to work on carving a house pole with Coast Salish artist George Pennier, which reignited his interest in creating art. George later became his first mentor, and he later went on to also work with Nuu-chah-nulth artist Tom Patterson. In 2011, Peter opened his own art studio and has been doing art full-time ever since.