Robert Charles DavidsonOCOBCRCA (born 4 November 1946), is a Canadian artist of Haida heritage. Davidson's Haida name is G̲uud San Glans, which means "Eagle of the Dawn". He is a leading figure in the renaissance of Haida art and culture. He lives in White Rock, British Columbia.[1]
Detail of "Gyaana", totem pole designed by Davidson and carved by him and others, Lions Lookout Park, White Rock, British Columbia, Canada.
Davidson is known internationally as a carver of totem poles and masks, printmaker, painter and jeweller. He lives near Vancouver, working out of a studio on Semiahmoo First Nation land and making annual return visits to Haida Gwaii.
Davidson was born in Hydaburg, Alaska. His parents are Claude and Vivian Davidson. Through Claude, he is the grandson of the Haida artist and memoirist Florence Davidson. He is a member of the Eagle moiety, Ts'ał'lanas lineage. His younger brother and former apprentice, Reg Davidson, is also a Haida carver.
A significant solo exhibition of his work, Robert Davidson: The Abstract Edge, was organized by the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) for viewing at the National Gallery of CanadainOttawa in 2007. From November 2022 until April 2023 the Vancouver Art Gallery is presenting an exhibition with the title A Line That Bends But Does Not Break, showcasing a collection of Davidson's graphic work, including paintings from private collections.[4]
If we look at the world in the form of a circle, let us look at what is on the inside of the circle as experience, culture and knowledge: Let us look at this as the past. What is outside of the circle is yet to be experienced. But in order to expand the circle we must know what is inside the circle.
Blackman, Margaret B. (1982; rev. ed., 1992) During My Time: Florence Edenshaw Davidson, a Haida Woman. Seattle: University of Washington Press.
Jensen, Doreen, and Polly Sargent (1986) Robes of Power: Totem Poles on Cloth. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press.
Macnair, Peter L., Alan L. Hoover, and Kevin Neary (1984) The Legacy: Tradition and Innovation in Northwest Coast Indian Art. Vancouver, B.C.: Douglas & McIntyre.
Robert Davidson lands lifetime achievement award By Alex Browne, Arts Reporter, Peace Arch News, 12 June 2007
Rhyne, Charles, Robert Davidson, and Susan Fillin-Yeh (1998) Expanding the Circle: The Art of Guud San Glans, Robert Davidson. Portland, Ore: Douglas F. Cooley Memorial Art Gallery, Reed College.
