Ben Houstie, an artist of the Heiltsuk Nation, was born in 1960 in Bella Bella, British Columbia. From a young age, Ben showcased his artistic talents. He started with painting on paper and canvas, before moving on to printmaking, cedar carving, and crafting silver and gold jewelry. Houstie has collaborated with various artists, including Cheryl Hall, Robert Hall, David Gladstone, and Beau Dick. In 1988, he worked alongside Bill Reid, creating several drums featuring Reid's designs and twenty paddles for the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.
In 2000, Ben painted a number of restored pieces for the "The Transforming Image" exhibition at the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. Through his art, Houstie has cultivated a distinctive style that honors and preserves the traditional forms of his cultural heritage and background.
A carved red cedar owl mask, beautifully painted and quite impressive, measures 11" x 9" x 6".
