David R. Boxley
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
David Robert Boxley (b. July 27, 1981), also known as D. Robert Boxley, is an Alaskan artist and totem-pole carver from the Tsimshian Indian community of Metlakatla in southeast Alaska. He is the son of the carver David A. Boxley, his mentor. His mother, Elizabeth, is non-Native, but was adopted into the Tsimshian Laxsgiik (Eagle clan).
His former Tsimshian name was Lap'aigh Laxsgyiik, which means "He Who Flies Like the Eagle" in the Tsimshian language.
In 1997 he, along with his brother, Zach, was adopted into the Laxgyibuu (Wolf Clan), House of T'ałm Ha'ax, by Doreen Nathan, his father's aunt. This was done to correct his Eagle clan affliation since he had to have an opposite clan from his father, David A. Boxley. (Tsimshian Indians follow the matralineal tradition of most Northwest Coast tribes.)
He was given the name Giboa'm Laxha, which means "Wolf of the Sky". This was to honor his new clan, but also to pay homage to his father, and his former clan, the Laxsgyiik (Eagle clan).
By the 1980s he was living with his parents and brother Zachary in Kingston, Washington.
Since 2000, he has carved sixteen totem poles with his father and carved his first solo totem pole in 2005.
David R. Boxley currently exhibits his work at Quintana Galleries in Portland, Oregon. To view his artwork, visit the galleries website at www.quintanagalleries.com. Currently, Daavid is working on new art for Ivar's Salmon House, located in Seattle, WA.
[edit] Sources
- Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane (1990) Totem Pole. New York: Holiday House.
- Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane (1997) Potlatch: A Tsimshian Celebration. New York: Holiday House.
