Welcome
Jay Bonnevie’s distinctive wood carvings blend the formal symbols of the Northwest Coast American Indians with European realism, creating a cultural fusion that captures time and place both present and past.
Born in rural Nova Scotia Canada in the 1950s, Jay is of Mi’kmaq and Acadian descendants. His walk towards becoming a carver began during the 1970s when Jay apprenticed for the Gingras Brothers, renowned Quebecois cabinet and clock makers, who taught him the art of French polishing. Under another artisan’s tutelage, Jay mastered the craft of carving wooden duck decoys.
Jay’s subsequent immersion in his Aboriginal spirituality and ceremonies led to a partnership with a Mi'kmaq fashion designer, who incorporated Jay’s animal motifs into her line of contemporary and customary Native clothing.
Jay re-located to Victoria, on the Pacific Northwest Coast of Canada. For ten years, he had the honour of learning from traditional wood carvers representing, not only the Haida People, but all twenty-seven distinctive North American Indian or “First Nations” Peoples who have lived in that region since time immemorial.
Rather than remaining frozen in time within the strict design rules of Northwest Coast carving and storytelling, Jay has developed and continues developing his own unique and shifting interpretations of the animal spirits or ‘relatives’ that he carves.
Jay’s wood carvings are housed in private collections throughout Canada United States, and Europe. In recognition that his carving is not a talent that he owns, but a gift from the Creator, many of Jay’s carvings have been give-a-ways following the customary Aboriginal practice.
Jay has now returned to his birth land, making his home in Nova’s Scotia’s magical Annapolis Valley. Thank you for visiting.