Glen Pollard

Haida master carver Glen Pollard was born to Olive and Jack Pollard January 17, 1957 on Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands. This remote archipelago of 150 rocky islands off the Coast of British Columbia, Canada, is home to moss-covered rainforest, abundant wildlife and more than 500 archeological sites. Glen currently resides in Skidegate, located on the southeast coast of Graham Island, the largest island in the Haida Gwaii archipelago.

Glen is Haida Eagle clan originating from Tanu (T'aanuu llnagaay), a traditional Haida village located on Tanu Island, Haida Gwaii, opposite of Kung'a Island in Laskeek Bay. He began drawing at age eight while living in Alert Bay and started carving wood and argillite when he was about 16.

A self-taught carver, Glen has worked with argillite for 50+ years. He gathers his material from the only source of this kind of argillite – Slatechuck Mountain- a secluded place near his home in Skidegate. It is time-consuming and difficult work gathering stones and packing them out. Only the Haida people are permitted to use this argillite.

Glen is renowned for his inlay work creating small totem poles, pendants and sculptures. His contemporary pieces use simple motifs and are finely executed with elegant form lines.

Glen’s sister, Shirley Longboat, is also a noted Haida carver.