Gary Minaker-Russ is one of the masters of the contemporary argillite carving tradition. The fifth of nine children born to Harold Minaker and Eleanor Russ, he began carving as a teenager with his brother Ed and sister-in-law Faye Russ and moved with them to Victoria to concentrate fully on becoming a career artist. He is known for his narrative depictions of Haida myths but has also carved numerous classic pieces such as platters and model poles.

Pole No. 29 wonderfully blends the classical Haida model pole tradition with contemporary flair, featuring elements such as intricate carving, woven figures that interact with tension and drama, and many delightful small details such as figures carved in the ears and chests. A stone of this scale is rare in modern argillite art, and the artist is known to covet great pieces of stone, reserving them for sculptures worthy of the time needed to design and carve a masterpiece. Pole No. 29 is indeed one such piece – an exceptional example of his personal style and equal to the high standards set by his peers over decades of exploring the possibilities of model pole carving.

Minaker-Russ has built a strong following for private commissions as well as galleries representing his work. He documents all his pieces (thus Pole No. 29 is a title that reflects his personal record keeping). His work is featured in the 2008 book by Carol Sheehan, Breathing Stone - Contemporary Haida Argillite Sculpture, (Frontenac House), pp. 130-141.

Gary Wyatt