Robert Sebastian is a member of the Hawilgate village and is of Gitskan/Carrier
ancestry. Born in 1952, he studied at the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast
Indian Art (Ksan). He is a member of the wolf Clan and Ksan dancers. He also
maintains an active role in the culture of his people. Robert developed his own
distinctive style which has been widely exhibited across North America. He is
presently living and painting in Hazelton, northern B.C. The Ksan style used by
Robert favors crisp, clean lines with a more contemporary look. The Ksan art
tends to be positive, personal and emotional with clear and definite ideas often
with action or conveying motion. The elements are from the traditional forms but
often elongated and/or abbreviated. Ksan artists are particularly fond of bird
imagery. Robert says, "The answers lie in the past, the present, and in the
future. You must leave something, when you take." Robert is also a journalist.
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.
