Gordon Sparks is a Mi’kmaw wood carver and a tattoo artist from Pabineau First Nation.
His mentor is Ned Bear and as a student of the late Ned Bear, Gordon has been carving in wood for over 5 years while working as a tattoo artist for over 22 years.
His process involves deep respect for the materials, taking them into his studio where he performs ceremonies through carving. He works exclusively with non-powered tools.
Gordon Sparks often engages with his community by hosting carving workshops at high schools, and working with seasonal snow sculptures for the public.
"I wanted to honour the four directions the best way that I could, and at the same time, it was to plant the seed in the kid's minds of mask carving," - Gordon Sparks.
"The Mi'kmaw masks have been sleeping for so long that there's very few of us that are making them.” - Gordon Sparks.