Christine R.
Yelp
Bill Reid's prints, carvings, jewelry making, and even storytelling are collected in this compact gallery in the heart of downtown Vancouver. His most famous sculpures, Raven and the First Men and the Spirit of Haida Gwaii are still located at the Museum of Anthropology and at YVR, respectively, but forms of them are also included in this exhibit space.
It's a small gallery but manages to explain the Bill Reid story from his origins to his legacy in Northwest Coast art. It's a beautiful and awe-inspiring body of work that's represented here. My major complaint, however, is that they've set up a number of videos throughout the gallery, and they're noisy and distracting. Headphones at each station would have been a good idea.
I liked the interactive nature of the exhibit, though. You can sit on couches and listen to Bill Reid read one of his stories and poems, or get a 360 degree view of the Spirit of Haida Gwaii on the big video screen. My favourite thing was the picture of Reid, who died not too long ago, with his Raven and First Men sculpture. The legend looks so human, cuddling up with his work.
Note: Pictures are allowed (no flash), except of the jewellery on display. I think this is for security reasons after the theft of some pieces from MOA at UBC.