Pacific Northwest Coast Traditional and Contemporary Authentic First Nations’ Sculpture and Design.
Khasalus Carvings
Squamish / Kwakwakawakw / Tlingit / Stl’atl’imc
I am a wood carver of traditional and contemporary Masks, Frontlets, Panels, Paddles, Bent-boxes, Rattles, Regalia, Drums, Table Tops fully carved, Totem Poles, and House Posts. Aswell as painted design work, silver/gold jewelry, and graphic design.
I was born an raised on the Capilano Reserve (xwemelchstn) within the homelands of the Squamish Nation in West Vancouver British Columbia Canada.
Contact Information
Thank you for your interest. For any inquiries, commission requests or studio visits. Please contact me today.
7788476754
Kolten Khasalus Grant
Khasalus - (k’asa-las) walks tall an paves the way
He’kwala thmae (hey gwala thmae) - Always giving away wealth
I was raised in the village of Xwemelch’stn (Capilano reserve) part of the Squamish Nation. I was born in 1992 and have been an artist my entire life.
My family is the Baker family, and we are of the House Of Liłuwagila. My ancestry comes from the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw, Kwagulth, Squamish, and N’Quatqua St’at’mic. I also am a decendant of George Hunt of Fort Rupert and Mary Ebbetts (anislaga) from Tlingit Tongass. As well as Chief Shakes of Wrangell Alaska.
My teacher has been my uncle Charles Klatle-Bhi Sam.
Contact for Commission Inquiry
Any mask you would like created? Or a specific piece that you are interested in? Give me your ideas, and we can work together to create your unique piece. Whether contemporary or traditional northwest coast style. I am confident i can create any form of carving you may be interested in. No job is too big or too small. Feel free to send me any inquiries you have in mind, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Gila’kasla - huyx chuxw - kukwstum̓úlhkacw -Thank you
Current projects completed recently
Thank you
Portrait
I painted this mask to pay homage to the salmon eating people of the northwest coast. Salmon being one of our prized resources is an the reason for our ancestors survival.
This mask has operculum shells for the teeth, and a inverted design to represent its origin from the undersea kingdom.
Chilkat moon
This design on my chilkat moon is an eagle in a contemporary northern chilkat design. The eagle is representative of humbleness, humility, honour, an respect.
Full Moon
This extremely large moon was commissioned and completed for a client at a specific size of 30” by 30” by 9” thick. A beautiful piece of old growth red cedar.
Balance
This yellow cedar moon i have titled “Balance”. The design is inverted on one side representing positive and negative. Male and Female. The balance of opposing energy. The dark shadow over the moon is the outcome of being consumed without keeping balance between positive an negative.
Supernatural raven in motion
This sculpture is very unique! This raven panel measures 32 by 32 inches an is a thickness of 3 inches. Each area of the body is at different depths and is all natural hand carved cedar. It is made from yellow cedar an has such a beautiful colour.
Volcano woman
This alder mask is a depiction of the volcano woman story. A great study that i enjoyed and learned a great deal from. Inspired by my late uncle Beau Dicks work, and a beautiful piece of alder given to me by Robert Davidson
Rip tide mask
This beautiful mask was one of my favourites to create for a good friend of mine from the USA. He requested this portrait style which is explained below in the drowned spirit mask. The copper represents wealth and the connection with the Chief of the undersea kingdom and domain of Kumugwe my ancestor through my Tlakwagila family lineage of the Musgamagw Dzawad'enuxw side of my family.
Messenger of Kumugwe
This mask is to eradicate negativity an only allow positive energy to flow in the space. This being originates from the undersea kingdom, and comes under direction from the bringer of wealth.
Supernatural Hukw Hukw
This mask is five feet long an wearable/danceable for ceremony. it is for a private collection. Part of the sacred cedar bark ceremony (T’seka) it is one of bakbakwalinuksiwes servants in the sacred and prestigious Hamatsa societies ceremonies.
The cheif returning to the spirit world
This mask represents a teaching from my ancestors. They believed when a high ranking individual passed away the orcas would come to the beach and take their soul to the spirit world.
This mask i would like to give credit and a huge thanks to phil grey. He started the masked an blocked it out. He allowed me to complete the mask an it was a great teacher. Im extremely thankful for his teachings on this piece an has inspired me to continue pushing my abilities to create unique sculptures.
Eagle clutching a salmon
This was a private commission for a good friend
Spirit bear
This bear mask is in the same proportions as a black bear mask that I have previously created. This mask was requested to be a Kemode spirit bear for a private commission.
Thunderbird
Contemporary kwakwakawakw thunderbird with my family crest a sisiutl (three headed sea serpent) on the cheeks.
Orca panel
Hand carved 30 inch round orca panel
Thunderbird panel
Thunderbird panel at 28 inches
Bumblebee
Kwakwakwakw bumble bee mask with cedar bark
Orca mask
Old growth red cedar Killer Whale mask with cedar bark
Woodbug sculpture
Study of a Tlingit rattle and mask created by my late uncle Beau Dick. This sculpture incorporates a mask and panel combined and the wood bug is representative of a purification being.
The cedar bark harvester
This portrait mask represents the sacred knowledge and teachings my ancestors have left for me and my family. The sacred tree of life and all of the sacred medicine we receive from it.
Komokwa
Cheif of the under sea kingdom and the bringer of wealth.
Sea to sky
This was inspired by my clients adventure to hartley bear where they experienced all animals present on this panel. Spirit bear,eagle, and humpback whale
Wagikala - the croaking of the frog
This represents a story in which my original ancestor was in a supernatural battle with an entity near Gilford Island BC Canada. The entity filled his stomach with frogs and this shows the frog crawling out. The frog is a sacred being that comes in and out of the spirit world and this represents that gift and message from the spirit world.
Drowned Spirit
This mask is to repel negative energy and was used by shaman to purify individuals and homes that were tainted by negative spirits. The only spirits left in limbo were those who drowned. In old times the Tlingit would cremated everyone so they pass on to the spirit world correctly. They understood that the negative spirits left behind were those who drowned and were in limbo so to speak. This mask reflects the image of the spirit to them and causes them to repel and flee. Although there is a ceremony involved that correctly allows the to cross over so they are no longer in limbo.
Study of form an design
This panel is a study of form an design awell as using up as much of the space as possible. It has abalone inlay and is all natural old growth yellow cedar. This extremely complicated sculpture measures 12 inches by 12 inches and was created using entirely custom fine carving knives that I had created for this specific small and difficult project.