Born in Seattle in 1966, Manuel is affiliated with the Cowichan Tribe in Duncan,
B.C. His mother is Salish. He has apprenticed with Delmar Johnny and Art
Vickers and is inspired by Simon Charlie and Robert Davidson. He tries to
interpret the legends of his Salish heritage in his work. In 1994 and 1995 he
worked at the Native Heritage Center in Duncan, concentrating on the design and
painting of traditional drums. He has since expanded his work into carving and
jewelry. He has developed his own style blending traditional Salish elements with
bright contemporary graphics.
Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.
