Born on April 15, 1972, Victoria area artist Gordon Allen began carving when he was 19, inspired by the stories of his grandfather and uncles.

Allen is of the Kwakiutl nation by birth. The Kwakiutl or Kwakwaka'wakw peoples of the northeast coast of Vancouver Island and the adjacent mainland coast were masters of art and drama, and held the greatest of Potlatch ceremonies.

Gordon Allen carvings reach beyond even this rich tradition of his ancestors, and encompass the technique of many northwest coastal styles. Allen counts the acclaimed artist family of Henry, Tony Richard, and Stan Hunt amoungst his influences. His chief instructor was Len Paquette, a talented Cree artist trained in the Haida tradition and well respected for his striking Totem Poles.