Christen Dokk Smith 

As a “Viking carver,” Christen Dokk Smith has spent his career creating works of powerful clean lines and intricate detail, blending modern simplicity with ancient mythology. In 2012, he moved to Canada from his native Norway, hoping to learn from First Nations carvers. Today he works from the Henry Nolla Carving Shed on Chesterman Beach, where he carves artworks from wood, stone and bone.

Born in Oslo, Christen was an officer in the military before a transformative meeting with Bjarte Aarseth, a master woodcarver at the Viking Ship Museum. Christen became his apprentice for four
years, and quickly learned the classical European carving styles, focusing on Medieval, Baroque, Rococo and especially Viking carving.

Since coming to Tofino, he has discovered a love for the local woods, especially yellow cedar, alder and red cedar, salvaged where possible. And he has found friends and mentors among the local First Nations, including elder Levi Martin, and carver Joe David while working alongside Feather George, the caretaker of Henry Nolla’s Carving Shed. Christen has done commissions for public buildings, churches, restaurants as well as private homes.