Terry Starr began carving in 1978. He had no formal training but received important guidance from artists Richard Hunt (Kwakwaka’wakw) and Tim Paul (Nuu-Chah-Nulth). Having absorbed their teachings and influences, Starr is now chiefly inspired by historical Tsimshian art. Aside from carving and painting masks, bowls, and rattles, Starr has worked on bighouses in his home village and for the Canadian Museum of Civilization, painted large screens, and created jewellery, glasswork, and prints.

One of Starr’s largest and most impressive masks, Bear Ancestor Mask is especially notable for its heavily lined face, suggesting the subject’s status as a revered elder. The artist’s use of alder for such a large mask is also unusual.