Jesse Brillon

Totem Design House

Jesse Brillon has emerged to be one of the top jewellery carvers of his generation. He grew up in Prince Rupert and was surrounded by a rich cultural hub of Tsimshian and Haida tradition. He was able to observe his elders as they made work for ceremony. When he graduated from high school he was given a gold repoussé bracelet that was made by well-known Haida artist, Don Yeomans. This galvanized him to pursue a working knowledge in design and engraving techniques. He apprenticed with Yeomans for a year and after this time he apprenticed under Gitksan master jeweller Phil Janze. It was from Janze that he learned the advanced techniques of chasing and repoussé. Brillon has achieved a mastery of silver and gold and one of his pieces was included in the popular exhibition in 2003 "Totems to Turquoise: Native North American Jewelry Arts of the Northwest and Southwest" curated by the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

Brillon continues in his art, and has applied his carving skills to working in wood as well. He is greatly inspired by the fishing excursions he took with his grandfather to Haida Gwaii where he experienced the richness of the land first hand. Brillon continues on these excursions which have helped him to develop a love and respect for the land that inspires Northwest Coast art.