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James Hart is a Canadian and Haida artist and a chief of the Haida Nation. Born in the early 1950s in Old Massett, Haida Gwaii, Hart has dedicated his life to the preservation and advancement of Haida artistic traditions.

As one of the most accomplished monumental carvers of his generation, Hart's work stands as a testament to the continuity and vitality of Haida culture. His massive totem poles and sculptures grace public spaces, museums, and institutions around the world, each piece a profound statement of Indigenous sovereignty, history, and artistic excellence.

Hart's practice extends beyond the physical creation of art. As a hereditary chief, he carries forward the responsibilities of leadership and cultural stewardship, ensuring that Haida stories, traditions, and artistic knowledge are passed to future generations. His work embodies the intersection of tradition and contemporary artistic practice, demonstrating that Indigenous art is not frozen in the past but is a living, evolving force.

Each totem pole, each carving, represents years of meticulous work—from selecting the right cedar tree to the final painted details. Hart's monumental pieces are not simply sculptures; they are historical documents, cultural statements, and spiritual objects that connect past, present, and future.