About Kelly Robinson
Who I am:
My family roots come from Bella Coola, with ancestry from both the Nuxalk and Ahousaht Nations. The teachings I was raised with guide how I move through my life and my work. In Nuxalk culture, life is understood through four stages, each represented by an animal and the lessons it carries. I am in the Grizzly Bear stage, a time of strength, responsibility, and truth. This stage reminds me to honour my relationships, speak honestly, and focus on being a strong parent, partner, and role model.
As an artist, I continue to learn from the mentors who shaped me, including Jim McGuire, Gordon Dick, Tim Paul, Ron Hamilton, Dempsey Bob, Alvin Mack, Stan Bevan, and Ken McNeil. Their guidance influences how I approach design, storytelling, and cultural responsibility. My work shares the stories of the Nuxalk and Nuu‑chah‑nulth people, our lands, and our teachings. I explore the supernatural, potlatch societies, and the relationship between land and sea. These stories live in my carvings and designs, which are held in private, corporate, and public collections around the world.
ROOTED IN IDENTITY
The Nuxalk Nation
The Nuxalk Nation is located in and around what is known to some as Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada. The Nuxalkmc have been occupying and exercising their rights on the lands, water and resources of their ancestral territory since time immemorial.
Nuxalk art has a distinctive style and features designs that are unique to Nuxalk territory and family crests. In particular, the use of a vibrant blue has long been an identifying hallmark of Nuxalk art (the “Bella Coola Blue”). Smayustas, or creation stories, are tied to family crests and also a shared history. They are the reason Nuxalk art is crafted and each piece made by a Nuxalk artist is carrying this history.