Fifty Winter Counts was carved by Joe David in 1996 to commemorate his own 50th birthday. This large, impressive mask is a blend of traditional Nuu-chah-nulth mask forms – which are angular forms influenced by canoe prows – with true portraiture and painted blocks of abstract shapes and designs that are personal to the dancer. Abstraction allowed the dancer to publicly recount historical and personal feats of bravery or accomplishments while keeping his personal preparations private. The top knot is also a traditional symbol of spiritual preparation for arduous tasks, such as participating in the yearly whaling ritual. It is tied to keep the hair from interfering with the task and to adhere to taboos about hair contact.

Joe David is one of the most multifaceted of this generation of master artists; his interests include shamanic teachings, spiritual identity, activism for environmental protection, and interactions with the world Indigenous community to learn and build a stronger network. He has participated in the yearly Sun Dance Ceremonies at Big Mountain, Arizona and he has traveled extensively throughout the Southwest, New Zealand, and across Canada. In 1981, he was adopted into the Haida nation for his commitment to his art and culture. In 2015 he received the BC Creative Achievement Award for Lifetime Achievement. He was the first artist to be invited to the Artist-in-Residence Program in 2000 at the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington.

Gary Wyatt