Born in 1983, Philip is a young artist who began learning how to carve at the age of fifteen under the direction of Salish artist Gerry Sheena. Although as a child Gray was not overly exposed to Tsimshian works of art, he has worked increasingly hard over the years to incorporate the unique design elements of the Tsimshian style into his current practice.
Gray has assisted in the carving of three totem poles, which now stand in various locations of Vancouver. During his first couple of years of practice he only carved during the summer months, while working on community development projects. Since then, Gray has become more focused and has worked hard to improve his carving skiills and knowldge by studying Tsimshian carving as well as taking an advanced design course by Robert Davidson. Gray completed the Northwest Coast Jewellery Arts Program at the Native Education College in Vancouver, under Kwakwaka’wakw/Haida artist, Dan Wallace.
Philip has donated many of his designs and carvings to First Nations communities and the Lac Kaien Tsimshian Dance Group, of which he is an active member. His artwork can be found both in local galleriess and international locales, including Malaysia, Poland, China, the United States, and Canada.
Exhibitions:
2012 Cranmer + Gray, Duel Artist Exhibition, Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery. Vancouver, BC.
2009 Challenging Traditions, Group Exhibition, McMichael Canadian Art Gllery. Kleinburg, ON.
Continuum: Vision and Creativity on the Northwest Coast, Group Exhibition, Bill Reid Art Gllery. Vancouver, BC.