A renowned Cowichan Valley artist is breathing new life into ancient history through his latest collection of handcrafted jewelry made from woolly mammoth ivory.
Jock Hildebrand, a seasoned artist with more than five decades of experience in watercolour, bronze, and stone, is now focusing on creating smaller, intricate pieces. His latest work, the Elegant Mammoth Ivory jewelry line, is a dramatic shift from the large-scale public sculptures he is known for.
The ivory he uses comes with a unique origin story. A close friend, who worked building ice roads in northern Canada, uncovered part of a mammoth tusk while grading the terrain. He gifted the tusk to Hildebrand nearly two years ago. The ancient material, estimated to be between 40,000 and 60,000 years old, has become the foundation for this new body of work.
“It’s all ethical because it’s ancient,” said Hildebrand. “Being a painter and a sculptor, composition is always something I care deeply about.”
The woolly mammoth, long extinct, is a creature surrounded by myth and symbolism. Often associated with strength, fertility, and the supernatural, these giants roamed the earth for up to 80 years. Their massive, curved tusks—sometimes reaching 25 feet—helped them clear snow, ward off predators, and impress potential mates.
Hildebrand’s jewelry pieces range in price from $40 to several hundred dollars. He has already sold around 300 of these unisex designs.
“Some pieces have a more masculine look,” Hildebrand noted. “They’ve been very well received.”
Originally from Quesnel, B.C., Hildebrand has had a globe-trotting artistic career. His father’s work in international education meant Hildebrand traveled widely in his youth. After graduating from art school, he created public art around the world, with installations on every continent except Australia.
“The largest piece I ever made was a 32-metric-ton stone sculpture in Vietnam,” he recalled. “I carved it in 45 days using 16 tons of stone that they supplied. I loved working there.”
Now settled in the Cowichan Valley, Hildebrand prefers the coastal environment to the Okanagan. A passionate sailor, he was drawn to the area by the ocean. He’s lived in Maple Bay for 11 years, where he built a space to both live and create. His Shibui Gallery—formerly a bed and breakfast—now houses his studio and displays his work. He also founded the Cowichan Public Art Gallery about eight years ago to fill the region’s need for a dedicated art space.
“‘Shibui’ is a Japanese term,” he explained. “It means something that appears simple at first, but reveals complexity the more you look at it. That’s how I want people to experience my art.”
Hildebrand’s new jewelry offers a more manageable creative process, especially as he gets older. Working on a smaller scale is easier on his body than the physically demanding large public sculptures. He typically creates 10 pieces at a time, each taking a full day to complete.
Each piece has a story and a name. One pendant, Sailing Under a Copper Moon, reflects Hildebrand’s early life as a commercial fisherman. To create the jewelry, he sets up a composition in a handmade wooden mold, arranges pieces of ivory and semi-precious stones, then pours resin to hold it all together. After curing, the pieces are carefully sanded and polished.
“There’s a vibe to it,” Hildebrand said. “I feel the presence of the mammoth when I work. My favorite moment is seeing them polished—when the final form is revealed.”
Visitors can view and purchase Hildebrand’s jewelry at the Shibui Gallery, which is open by appointment, Monday through Friday.
“I hope people feel a sense of timelessness,” he said. “These were living creatures. They foraged for food, they mated—so long ago. I’m glad their remains are being transformed into something beautiful.”
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