Gerry Sheena – Interior Salish Woodcarver

Gerry Sheena is an Interior Salish woodcarver and painter whose work combines traditional Salish carving with expressive colour and contemporary artistic approaches. Through Friends United, he has contributed to totem pole projects in Nova Scotia and shared his knowledge of woodcarving with others.

About Gerry Sheena

Portrait of Gerry Sheena, Interior Salish woodcarver and Friends United artist.

Gerry Sheena – Artist Biography

I am a member of the Interior Salish Nation and have been carving for over 17 years. My private work can be found throughout galleries in BC as well as the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. My carving style is traditionally Salish, informed by modern painting techniques and innovative use of colour and design; I have carved masks, bowls, rattles, plaques and various sizes of totem poles.

From 1998-2002, I mentored youth in the Collingwood community to create public art. In four years, we completed four carvings: Synala Totem Pole, The Multicultural Gateway, The Guardian of the Park and the Renfrew Park Eagle. All the carvings were done in the public with many people visiting the carving site and can be found throughout the Renfrew Collingwood Community. Gerry met Rolf Bouman in 2018 who invited him to work on totem poles in Nova Scotia. Both men met through Friends United artist Jason Adair. After finishing his first totem pole, which Gerry called Friends United, Gerry will come to Nova Scotia every year to teach others the art of wood carving. Gerry is also a very gifted painter and his artwork can be found on many drums.

Salish Woodcarving by Gerry Sheena

Gerry Sheena’s work reflects a traditional Salish carving style shaped by his use of colour, design and modern painting techniques. His artistic practice includes carved figures, masks, bowls, rattles, plaques and totem poles, as well as paintings created for drums.

The works presented here show the range of his carving practice, from smaller sculptural pieces to monumental wooden forms. They also reflect the detailed shaping, strong visual forms and natural qualities of the wood that define his work.

Masks, Carved Panels and Sculptural Works

Tall Carved Wooden Figures

Totem Pole Projects

Work and Legacy

Gerry Sheena’s work extends beyond individual carvings. From 1998 to 2002, he mentored young people in Vancouver’s Collingwood community while creating four public artworks: the Synala Totem Pole, the Multicultural Gateway, the Guardian of the Park and the Renfrew Park Eagle. The works were carved in public and became part of the Renfrew-Collingwood community.

Gerry met Friends United founder Rolf Bouman in 2018 through Friends United artist Jason Adair. He was subsequently invited to Nova Scotia to work on totem pole projects. His first pole created through this connection was named “Friends United.” His involvement has also included sharing the art of woodcarving with others.

Alongside his carving, Gerry is a painter whose artwork can be found on drums. Together, these practices show the breadth of his work and his commitment to creating and passing on artistic knowledge.

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