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Live Online Auction Starts In
2026 Jul 21 @ 10:00 (UTC-07:00 : PDT/MST)
Preview: July 18th (10am - 5pm)
Pick ups: July 23nd - July 25th (10am - 5pm)
Preview and Pick up location: 27294 Fraser Hwy, Aldergrove, BC V4W 3P8
* Please read the IMPORTANT LOT! Placing your bid is your acceptance of all Terms and Conditions, Buyers Premium, Taxes, Shipping and Payment information.
*The Mad Picker has now merged with Direct Auctions.
• ALL items are AS IS WHERE IS, NO EXCEPTIONS. Our Catalogues are used as a guideline ONLY! BRING ALL PACKING MATERIAL
Clarence Wells (Canadian, 1950-2025). (Indigenous Craftsman - Cultural Knowledge-Keeper - Great Lakes Material Traditions)
Overview
Clarence Wells was a respected Indigenous artisan whose work embodied the material culture, teachings, and craftsmanship of the Great Lakes region. Known for his disciplined handwork, cultural grounding, and commitment to traditional methods, Wells produced carvings, tools, and ceremonial objects that reflected both functional purpose and ancestral knowledge. His work is valued for its authenticity, cultural continuity, and its role in preserving regional Indigenous craft traditions.
History & Background
Wells emerged from a lineage of makers, storytellers, and cultural carriers. His training came not from formal institutions but from intergenerational knowledge, community mentorship, and lived experience within Great Lakes Indigenous traditions. He worked primarily with local hardwoods, natural fibers, hides, and hand-prepared materials, maintaining methods that pre-dated industrial tools.
Throughout his life, Wells served as a cultural resource within his community - teaching younger makers, demonstrating traditional techniques, and ensuring that the stories tied to each object were preserved. His work often reflected themes of identity, land, seasonal cycles, and spiritual relationships.
Artistic Credits & Contributions
Preservation of Traditional Craft Techniques
Wells was recognized for maintaining pre-contact and early post-contact methods of carving, shaping, and finishing materials.
Community Teaching & Knowledge Transfer
He contributed to workshops, cultural gatherings, and informal mentorship, helping sustain craft traditions among younger generations.
Cultural Interpretation Through Material Work
His pieces often served as physical expressions of teachings, stories, and clan-based symbolism.
Regional Recognition
Known among Great Lakes cultural circles, collectors, and heritage organizations for his authenticity and adherence to traditional craftsmanship.
Accolades & Recognition
While not aligned with mainstream commercial art circuits, Wells earned respect and recognition through:
Community Honours for cultural stewardship and teaching
Invitations to regional cultural events, craft demonstrations, and heritage gatherings
Inclusion in private Indigenous collections focused on traditional craft
Acquisition by regional cultural centers and heritage institutions
Acknowledgment by tribal cultural committees for his role in preserving traditional methods
His reputation was built on cultural credibility, not commercial promotion - a hallmark of many traditional Indigenous makers.
Galleries, Exhibitions & Collections
Wells' work has appeared in:
Regional Indigenous cultural centers across the Great Lakes
Community museums focused on Anishinaabe and Great Lakes heritage
Private collections specializing in traditional Indigenous craft
Heritage exhibitions highlighting woodcraft, carving, and material culture
Seasonal cultural gatherings, where his pieces were displayed, used, or demonstrated
Because his work was deeply tied to community use and cultural practice, many pieces remain in ceremonial circulation, family collections, or tribal archives, rather than commercial galleries.
Artistic Style & Materials
Hand-carved hardwoods (maple, birch, ash)
Natural finishes, oils, and hand-prepared pigments
Traditional forms: tools, carvings, ceremonial objects, utilitarian items
Emphasis on function, symbolism, and cultural narrative
Minimal modern tooling; preference for traditional methods
His work is defined by precision, restraint, and cultural intention, rather than decorative excess.
Legacy & Cultural Impact
Clarence Wells' legacy rests in his role as a cultural steward. His contributions helped sustain traditional craft knowledge during a period when many Indigenous techniques were at risk of being lost. His pieces continue to be valued not only as artworks but as cultural documents, representing the continuity of Great Lakes Indigenous identity.
Collectors, museums, and cultural institutions regard Wells' work as authentic, historically grounded, and culturally significant, making his pieces important within both heritage and artistic contexts.
Auction Location:
27294 Fraser Hwy., Aldergrove, British Columbia, V4W 3P8, Canada
Previewing Details:
Preview: July 18th (10am - 5pm) in-person and video calls.
Previewing Address: 27294 Fraser Hwy, Aldergrove, BC V4W 3P8
Video calls & Facetime previews are available as well via appointment only. To book an appointment please email us at info@madpicker.com with a time between 10am-5pm PDT.
International Shipping is available through 3rd party. See shipping details.
Items must be paid in full on the day of the sale.
Preview: July 18th (10am - 5pm)
Preview and Pick up location: 27294 Fraser Hwy, Aldergrove, BC V4W 3P8
NOTE: ITEMS NOT PICKED UP BY July 25th WILL BECOME THE PROPERTY OF DIRECT LIQUIDATION, AND NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED UNLESS ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH US.
Applicable taxes GST 5% PST 7%
Please make sure to include your PST number if you have one.
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| GST |
5% |
GST |
| BPST |
7% |
BC PST |
| NFLD |
5% |
NewFoundland |
| NB |
5% |
New Brunswick |
| NS |
5% |
Nova Scotia |
| PEI |
5% |
Prince Edward Island |
| ON |
5% |
Ontario |
| AB |
5% |
Alberta |
| MB |
5% |
Manitoba |
| NWT |
5% |
Northwest Territories |
| NT |
5% |
Nunavut |
| QC |
5% |
Quebec |
| SK |
5% |
Saskatchewan |
| YK |
5% |
Yukon |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
18% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Shipping is outsourced to UPS and will be picked up from the auction location July 24th - July 27th
UPS Store 325 is located at:
4111 Hastings Street
Burnaby, BC
Contact Information:
Steve or Brian
Phone: 604.205.5888
Email: store325@theupsstore.ca
Should you have any questions or require assistance with shipping, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Steve or Brian directly at the contact number above.
Payment Details:
If your picking your items up, you can save 2% by paying cash or debit, NO discount for E-Transfer! All items not paid for within 48 hours of the conclusion of the auction, will be charged on your card. If items are being shipped, your card will be charged twice. Once for your items and again by UPS when shipping has been calculated. Invoices will be sent out at the conclusion of the auction.
* 18% Buyer Premium will be applied on purchases.
* Plus Applicable Taxes
* 16% if paying Debit or Cash
* If paying by E-Transfer, please send to: Accounts@Directliquidation.ca
No password needed - but please put your name or invoice number in the memo
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- AMEX
- E-Transfer
- Debit
- Cash
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