Rita Williams
Nuu-chah-nulth
(1954)
Rita Williams is a member of the Williams family of carvers. The Williams family legacy started with her grandfather, Sam Williams, who was born in 1880. Sam was influenced by traditional totem poles, but developed his own style, with notable characteristics such as bright colours, cut-through designs, and depictions of frogs, thunderbirds, killer whales, and salmon. This individual style was passed down through the family to his four sons, who assisted him with carving. One of Sam’s sons, Ray, taught his daughter Rita the family style, who would go on to produce works that reflect the familial legacy of creativity and artistry.
Rita has been carving totem poles for over 40 years. She is a member of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nation and lives on the Ditidaht reserve on the Pacific Northwest coast of British Columbia.
