Mark Henderson is a member of the Wai-wai-kum Band of the Kwakwaka’wakw people at Campbell River, B.C.. Born in 1953, Mark is deeply involved in the art and culture of his community. Mark began painting at the age of eleven and was taught by his father Chief Sam Henderson, who was originally from Blunden Harbour.

Mark has a place as a perceptive and talented Northwest Coast artist. He works in traditional styles and sometimes strikingly innovative contemporary styles, painting in varying contexts mainly acrylic on paper, silkscreens and on drums. He recently completed painting the house front of the Campbell River Big House for Ceremonies undertaking a challenging 88’ x 30’.

In the summer Mark works as a commercial salmon fisherman off the west coast of Vancouver Island and in the winter he paints. He has a unique style related to the old art of the Kwakwaka’wakw people, noticeably seen in the carvings of Mungo Martin, Henry Speck, Willie Seaweed, and in the numerous carvings in and around Alert Bay, B.C.