Kari Morgan, of Nisga’a (House of Kw’isk’ayn), European, and Métis heritage, is a sculptor, painter, and designer whose multidisciplinary practice bridges tradition and innovation. Born in Prince Rupert and trained at the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art under master carvers Dempsey Bob, Stan Bevan, and Ken McNeil, Kari’s work explores the tension between contemporary expression and traditional form.
Kari believes traditional art is more than a visual language for the people of the Northwest, she believes it is medicine for the soul. Her practice honours ancestral knowledge and aims to display the strengths of her culture and people to entice a positive narrative change.
Through exhibitions across BC and the Pacific Northwest, Kari uplifts Indigenous voices and invites new ways of seeing. Her commitment to cultural strength and creative exploration marks her as a powerful emerging force in the art world.
Kari was selected by the independent jury as the 2025 Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist.
The Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist designation was established in 2016. Named in honour of Brenda Crabtree, Director, Aboriginal Programs, Emily Carr University and the late Bill McLennan (1948-2020), Curator Emeritus, UBC Museum of Anthropology, this recognition aims to highlight and support emerging talent.
