Hand carved functional.
This exquisite carving was made in 1970. Hand carved by John Grainger who passed 4 years ago at 91. His works were sold across Canada for 30 years in Bowering- Canadiana and Cara gift shops in airports across North America.
This self taught artist went professional in 1969 after working for Native Affairs Canada. His job was to help indigenous Canadians to set up and operate successful native art craft shops across Northern Ontario.
He found numerous injustices to these talented people and gave his resignation on a W5 segment in 1969 exposing these wrong doings by the federal government.
John continued for 30 more years helping our native friends and carved an average of 3 pieces a week during his career.
The piece shown here took several weeks to create.
John Grainger passed at 91 in Nanaimo BC He was married to Nora 54 yrs and raised 4 children.