Thanks for Bringing the Light?

Clinton Work, limited edition print, Thanks?, $100.00 CAD

Raven Bringing Light to the World is a familiar creation myth in many Native cultures and its story is often recaptured in different interpretations. Kwakwaka'wakw artist Clinton Work has chosen to see the story in both a positive and negative light in his first limited edition print titled Thanks?. The fractured image depicts the exact moment that Raven brought light to the world, showing the momentary transition from darkness to lightness. The formline switches from positive to negative, contrasting this change.

This piece shows how this transformation was a balance of positive and negative effects, stimulating thought about light and dark, about vanity and innocence. While light has the obvious advantage of allowing people to see their surroundings, its introduction has also caused differences of opinion on what is beautiful and what is not. Before there was light, in darkness everything was the same therefore there was no need to define things as beautiful or not; with light, now only some things are beautiful while others are not, and they are all exposed to judgment. People were able to see who had more, and who had less. Clinton has cleverly chosen the title, Thanks? to show his interpretation of the creation of light - thanks to Raven.

Kwi Jones 'Stone Ribs' Painting

Lattimer Gallery is now selling an intriguing, mysterious painting by Haida artist and curator, Kwiaahwah Jones. It is selling for $1,000.00 at Lattimer Gallery, and Kwi provided us with the following story:

"Stone Ribs is the son of Jilla Kun (Creek Woman - aka Supernatural Woman who Started the Eagle Clans of the Haida). Stone Ribs owned several skins in which he could transform into whatever skin he owned.

He owned a Martin Skin, and a Copper Jacket. His Supernatural Grandfather lent him another skin, the skin of the Halibut, which gave him great power. There was a village nearby, Skedans, where the people were being terrorized and killed by Kaagawaay, the five-finned sea monster. They say that Kaagaawaay had a human face at the base of each of his fins. Stone Ribs went to help the people who lived at Skedans. He transformed himself into a baby. From there he grew up fast, challenged Kaagaawaay, and eventually killed him using his Halibut skin. From this, Stone Ribs took the skin of Kaagaawaay and travelled about to show off his supernatural skins. All of the supernatural creatures were happy that he killed Kaagaawaay and helped the people. Stone Ribs' grandfather took back his halibut skin, and he left Kaagaawaay’s skin at Skedans and went back to his mother Jilla Kuns. Stone Ribs is also featured in a number of other Haida legends.

This particular piece shows Stone Ribs after he's killed Kaagaawaay: the 5 skulls represent the 5 human heads on Kaagaawaay's 5 fins."