Shawn Johnny

Shawn Johnny (Cowichan Tribes, 1978 – present)

Shawn began his artistic career at a young age under the guidance of his grandparents, Mary and Ed Thomas, who taught him to knit and carve. Shawn also studied with Cowichan Master Carver, Simon Charlie, from 2002-2005. He carried on his training with Coast Salish multi-media artist, LessLIE. Through these teachings, Shawn’s designs using ovoid, circles and trigons have become more defined and prominent in his depictions of the  spiritual realm.

Throughout his career, Shawn has overcome several personal obstacles to get where he is today. His dedication to the arts has been therapeutic and he uses his past to strengthen the future. His goal is to share his artwork, be remembered and to teach his younger family members these traditional skills.

Shawn Johnny’s art represents the stories, teachings and traditions of the people of the ancestral territory of Cowichan, through his own unique vision, communicated through images of the local animal life.