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Canadian artist Roy Henry Vickers is a world-renowned printmaker, painter, carver, author and designer whose signature style fuses the traditional images of his West Coast native ancestry with the realism of his British heritage. His artwork is held in museums and private collections across Canada and internationally, and is sold through two successful artist-owned and operated galleries. In addition, Roy is a recognized leader in the First Nations community, and a tireless spokesperson for recovery from addictions and abuse.
Roy was born in 1946 in Greenville, British Columbia. His father was a fisherman with half-Tsimshian, half-Heiltsuk ancestry; his mother, a teacher of British heritage. The Vickers family lived for eight years in the Tsimshian village of Kitkatla, as well as in Hazelton and Victoria, where Roy graduated from high school and worked as a fireman.
Roy's prolific career began after studying traditional Native art at the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art in Ksan, BC. Influenced by his mixed heritage, he developed a unique artistic style, which is immediately identifiable through its clean lines, vivid colours, and natural themes drawn from the rugged beauty of BC's West Coast. Through merging the uncomplicated, stylized forms of his aboriginal ancestry with the realism of European art, Roy brings two worlds together and creates vibrant images that speak to a universal spirit.
Roy's artwork is avidly sought by serious collectors and is included in the collections of royalty and presidents. His prints, paintings and carvings are showcased at the Roy Henry Vickers Gallery in Sidney, BC, and at his Eagle Aerie Gallery in Tofino, BC, located on the extreme west coast of Vancouver Island. Roy designed and built the Eagle Aerie Gallery in the manner of a traditional northwest coast longhouse. More than 200,000 visitors pass through its copper doors each year and are captivated by the Gallery's serene ambiance.
Roy has participated in exhibitions at major art shows in Canada and the United States. He was an artistic adviser in the building of Saanich Commonwealth Place in Victoria and the refurbishment of Vancouver International Airport. Roy is also an accomplished author, publisher and illustrator of several books. He recently published the long-awaited second milestone book "Copperman" The Art of Roy Henry Vickers, a retrospective of his work over the past 15 years.
As a former victim of substance abuse, in 1992 Roy founded the non-profit organization "VisionQuest" to help people overcome and recover from addiction. In 1998 the government of British Columbia honoured Roy with the prestigious "Order of British Columbia" award in recognition of both his talent and his significant contributions to society.
Today Roy Henry Vickers is firmly established as one of Canada's premier artists. He lives and works in Hazelton, BC, creating a steady flow of new limited edition prints each year. Many are sold out within months to regular collectors who are drawn to Roy's art and the magical sense it conveys of being transported to a place where the past, present and future merge, and where nature, people and Spirit co-exist in balance.
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