Ian Reid - Returning Spirit

Heiltsuk artist Ian Reid's newest mask combines a Northwest Coast portrait mask with Buddhist philosophy.

The prayer flags on the mask reference the common structures of the Buddha way of living and our old way of living that we are just hanging onto by a thread. It is important to nurture the little ones to prepare their minds and teach the language and the ways of dancing that impersonate the supernatural. To use the ways of the old world in the present and to practice them in today’s teaching will keep us grounded.

The two columns situated on the top of the mask indicate the portrait’s association with the ghosts in the Spirit World; he has come back from traveling the world with his ancestors to be with his people. He carries a spirit with him to re-live another life in the realm, one more time. He will continue his work from his previous life with his people. - Nusi (Ian Reid)

This piece measures 16 1/2" x 12" x 5" and is available for $2,800.00 CAD.

In Chilkat Times: New Mixed Media Canvases by Ian Reid

In the early 20th century, photographer Edward Curtis published a series of photographs titled 'The North American Indian' in what he considered an attempt to preserve traditional North American Native cultures. Most of these photos were staged, and in effect, Curtis was actually appropriating Native cultures.

Today, Heiltsuk artist Ian Reid has used Curtis' images to create his own mixed media canvases detailed with his own designs in acrylic paint. In these re-worked images, Ian reinterprets Native identity by treating the well-known historical portraits with touches of his distinctive painting. As statements on colonial influence and the continuum of Northwest Coast artistic traditions, Ian’s works are both arresting and thought-provoking. These bright, captivating canvases are framed and range from $250.00 - $500.00 CAD each.

In the time of the ancestors, the first generation stories were so clear, and there was so much value in the teachings learned from those stories. There are still markings and images of those original teachings, and we see them and know them as pictographs. Many of the places with these markings were near old village sites and/or burial sites. These pictographs were used to show the people who traveled through the lineage and stories of the original occupants of the land. So, looking at the images of Edward S. Curtis brought me to these thoughts and resulted in my decision to embellish his photographs with my own pictographs, in the color of life, red.
- Ian Reid, Nusi

Ian Reid (Nusi) Painting

Lattimer Gallery recently received a striking painting from talented Heiltsuk artist, Ian Reid. It is titled 'The Day Raven Walked Off with the Sun'. Ian describes this cultural story in his own words:

"As it was in the beginning, when all was dark and black as night, the Raven had a beautiful song voice and was still mysterious as ever. He knew of where the sun, moon, and stars were. They were contained in cedar bent boxes in the Chief’s house, past the clouds, in the Heavens. Raven, the trickster, was able to transform himself into many things, including raven and human. He was able to transform and trick his way into the Chief-of-Heaven’s house. While visiting, he was able to find those boxes and had the idea of opening them to the universe. He transformed into a bird form again and tried to fly away with the sun, moon, and stars. Upon flying out of the Chief’s house, he lost his song voice and coloured feathers, and since then he has been black as night and simply just kaa kaa-ed! However, he made it to freedom and set the moon, sun, and stars free. It still is today as it was then, when Raven brought light to our world. The day the Raven walked off with the sun, he was in the shape of the raven AND human. His hand was on his wing, and the talons he was walking with were once human feet."

- Ian Reid, June of 2010

Ian Reid Mini Masks

Ian Reid is a young artist with many interests and goals. From overseeing the construction of a longhouse in Bella Bella to participating in international cultural exchanges, Ian somehow manages to maintain his presence within the Vancouver art market. Lattimer Gallery is proud to have a strong connection with this intelligent and ambitious Heiltsuk artist.

Recently, Ian brought us two meticulously carved mini masks that can be worn or hung for ornamental purposes. Both of these sculptures have been created in yellow cedar. One is titled 'Raven Guy' and the other is titled 'Gawaga', the colours of which are reminiscent of a 'Wild Woman' depiction. Ian's attention to detail and humour are both demonstrated in these little sculptures, and we are eagerly awaiting his next mask...no matter what the size!