Dan Wallace Rattle Pendant

Pieces by Kwakwaka'wakw-Haida artist Dan Wallace are extremely well done, and we always look forward to seeing his new creations. He recently brought in an elegant and beautifully engraved rattle pendant. Created from yew wood, with sterling silver on each side, this is an object that represents protection. First, the symbolism is linked to renewal and the maternal. The Salmon symbol engraved on one side represents the life cycle, and the female Moon symbol on the other side represents security and nurturing. Second, the rattle itself - which will hang downwards, near one's heart - is an object designed to ward off unwanted energies. Some say that small rattle pendants such as this, as symbols of protection, have been worn by expectant mothers and then given to the baby after birth. This wonderful pendant measures 2 1/2" x 1 3/16" x 5/16" and is available for $1,000.00 CAD.

Dan Wallace is a hereditary chief and is a descendant of the Cape Mudge Laich-kwil-taich and Haida Nations. Coming from two distinct cultural backgrounds, Dan has an abundance of creativity to draw upon. His crest is the Double-Finned Killerwhale.

Rainbow Spirit Mask by Jing (Rob Long)

When browsing Vancouver's galleries or enjoying the diverse collection of First Nations materials at UBC's Museum of Anthropology, you may notice the occasional rainbow design. From prints such as Joe David's 1977 Memorial Rainbow Drum to Tim Paul's The Rainbow People mask, rare works are created with this joyful motif. The inclusion of rainbows in Northwest Coast Native art is, however, more than an effort to imbue works with a sense of mirth. The rainbow can be found as a recurring theme within art produced by some southern cultures (such as the Nuu-chah-nulth), where it is respected as a potent natural phenomenon in the same vein as thunder, lightning, and earthquakes. 

Jing's Joyful 'Rainbow Spirit' Mask

The rainbow is also a sub-crest within Haida culture. There are several myths that describe Rainbow as a supernatural being, affiliated with Raven. This mask by Jing (Rob Long), available at Lattimer Gallery and titled Rainbow Spirit, is an homage to these cultural myths. Carved from Alder and exquisitely painted, this mask exudes a cheer that will brighten up even the most overcast Vancouver day! It measures 13" x 8 ½” x 5 ¼” and is available for $2,000.00 CAD. Jing has been working with celebrated Haida artist Robert Davidson since 2009. He has been involved in Haida song and dance since he was three, and he currently dances with the Rainbow Creek Dancers. Rob has worked with Ben Davidson, David R. Boxley, Lyle Campbell and Jordon Seward. In 2008, Rob won the 2008 Frank O'Neil Visionary Award.

Beau Dick Exhibition Masks to be Burned

If you went to an art show at an established gallery and viewed works by an acclaimed artist, you would probably be shocked if someone told you that a large number of the works were scheduled to be destroyed. This is exactly what is happening with the collection of works by Beau Dick currently at Macaulay & Co Works of Art (formerly Blanket Contemporary).

Beau Dick (Image: Totem to Turquoise: Native North American Jewelery Arts of the Northwest and Southwest, 2004

While there are definitely masks for sale at this show, Beau explains that there are 40 additional masks set to be used in a potlatch this September. This will be the fourth time they have been danced. Since four is a fortuitous number in Kwakwaka'wakw culture, these masks will be danced in four ceremonies this fall and then burned. Beau says of the masks that are going to be burned: “It takes away any monetary value they have in this world and makes it real. What we have to do is recreate them — and that keeps them alive.” Macaulay & Co is located at 560 Seymour Street and this eclectic show runs until September 22, 2012.

Tacoma Art Museum Donation of NWC Art

Erivan Haub and his wife Helga, a billionaire couple from Germany, have donated the majority of their art collection to the Tacoma Art Museum. Comprised of over 280 works, this donation is significant to the city of Tacoma, but also to the Northwest Coast art world. The Haubs have always been intrigued by the American West, and many of their works are nineteenth-century paintings by European artists who visited or settled in the West during its early years. 

Their collection also includes First Nations pieces – both historical and contemporary – which reflect the Haubs’ passion for this part of the world. Director Stephanie Stebich has also stated that she is currently acquiring “baskets and blankets from area tribes to add further depth and meaning to what promises to be a landmark exhibit of Native American and American West artworks”.

To make room for this significant collection, TAM is also adding a new wing which is set to be complete by mid-2014. While the Haubs have confirmed that they are contributing a vast sum for the wing as well, they have not released a specific amount. Tacoma is just a short drive from Vancouver, and TAM will definitely be a destination once the new wing is complete.

Copper in Northwest Coast Native Art

Copper artwork and jewellery are becoming more common in the Northwest Coast market, which is a bit of a strange trend when considering that copper was the only metal quarried and processed by the First Nations in British Columbia prior to European contact. Long valued as a symbol of status and wealth, copper was frequently beaten into large panels, or shields, which were passed down from generation to generation. These shields were (and still are) aptly named "coppers". The bentwood box depicted in the image to the right, by Haida-Tsimshian artist Marie Oldfield, has been adorned with abalone cut-outs of these coppers. The box itself, titled Give Away, has also been embellished with copper paint and symbolizes the valued role of both boxes and copper in the Northwest Coast potlatch. This steam-bent box measures 6 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" and is available for $900.00 CAD.

 
A number of jewelers are also beginning to use copper more often. It is a soft metal, but this makes it slightly more challenging to engrave cleanly, when compared to sterling silver or gold. From cuff bracelets to earrings, Lattimer Gallery always strives to carry a selection of copper items to compliment our broad range of gold and silver pieces. The image to the left shows a pair of embossed copper dangle earrings by Haida artist, Gwaai Edenshaw. Measuring 2 5/8" long and 1/2" wide, these elegant Sinx earrings are available from Lattimer Gallery for $120.00 CAD. Copper is durable, warm in colour, and has been proven to carry certain health benefits.

Cody Lecoy: YVRAF Scholarship Winner

Cody Lecoy, In the Face of Might, 24" x 36", $600.00 CAD

Cody Lecoy is a promising young Salish artist of only 23 years of age. Currently, he is in his fourth year at Kwantlen College's Fine Arts Program where he has learned to apply a variety of artistic techniques to his acrylic paintings on canvas.

Since 2011, his mentor has been prominent Coast Salish painter Lawrence Paul Yuxwelptun. Cody has received the Vancouver International Airport Art Foundation Scholarship for two consecutive years - once in 2011 and again in 2012. His new work can be found at YVR and will be displayed for the duration of one year.

Cody's paintings are artworks not defined to be traditionally Northwest Coast, yet within in them are Northwest Coast design elements. The placement of Northwest Coast design elements in non-traditional designs has been both an inspiration and a challenge for young contemporary artists, and we have seen a recent trend in this type of work. Cody's unique sense of style uses natural landscapes as a backdrop for layers and intricate combinations of faces and creatures.

Ideas are born in my mind, and felt while painting, painting becomes a grounding act, bridging the mind and the heart giving rise to ideas clear in intention. With intent to find deep connection within, the Art of the Northwest coast has become a valuable teacher. The art pays respect to nature illustrating the one as whole. With this approach I wish to demonstrate synchronicity between the Outside world and soul. The art is a synthesis of my interests, various spiritual practice have garnered lessons of similar nature.

-Cody Lecoy

Two of his works are available at the gallery: In the Face of Might, 24" x 36", $600.00 CAD and Ridicule Mask, 36" x 36", $600.00 CAD.