Four Decades: An Innocent Gesture By Robert Davidson

Four Decades documents one of the most influential projects and events in modern Canadian Art History: Robert Davidson as an emerging 22-year-old artist, addisted by his brother Reg Davidson, carved and erected the first totem pole in Masset in over 100 years. The pole was publicly carved and became the focal point for the community including input from elders on historical pole raisings, apprenticeships for younger artists and a process that led to a full-scale modern potlatch at the completion. Since this event, Robert has hosted many cultural events at great personal expense, time and research to both recreate historical traditions and to acknowledge contemporary issues, events, and the contributions of individuals. This book is self-published and includes personal and archival photographs documenting the event.