Northwest Coast Native Panels

Large carved panels are a staple within the Northwest Coast Native art market, but they are a contemporary art form. Bentwood boxes, poles, and masks have long been created for both cultural and artistic purposes, but decorative panels only began emerging in the 1990s. One explanation for this development lies in the fact that paintings on paper and canvas, which are pervasive in conventional art galleries, are not common within the Northwest Coast market. Carved and painted panels are a fusion of traditions: wall-mounted compositions created through carving. From the traditional to the bright and modern, Lattimer Gallery has several outstanding panels right now:

Heiltsuk artist Dean Hunt’s Hzí (Frog) Bounce is a playful 36” diameter panel comprised of light and dark greens. Representing a frog in motion, the figure appears as though it could hop right out of the wood due to the depth Dean achieved by dropping all of the negative space down by ½”. This animated sculpture is available for $6,000.00 CAD.

Tsimshian/Cree artist Phil Gray’s rectangular red cedar panel depicting two killerwhales is titled Gestation and measures  48” x 24” x 1 ¾”. Representing a mother orca and newborn orca, this deeply-carved panel contains a great amount of movement and tension. Two human figures can also be seen within this clever composition. Phil’s panel is available for $8,000.00 CAD.

Haida artist Corey Bulpitt has carved a red cedar panel titled Skaana (Killerwhale) that strongly demonstrates his tendency to create designs that extend beyond strict formline composition. This piece contains all of the classic elements of a whale design in plain oiled cedar – the head, blowhole, tail flukes – yet the dorsal fin has been superimposed across the entire composition in black and red paint. Corey’s 36” round panel is available for $6,000.00 CAD.     

Kwakwaka’wakw artist Rande Cook’s Thunderbird panel contains elegant lines and fluid forms. The details within this 36” diameter panel are delightful. From the knife-finished bevelled edge to the carefully domed ovoids, this piece demonstrates Rande’s talent as both a carver and designer. Unlike many representations of the mythical Thunderbird, Rande’s appears serene with its closed beak, small horns, and tucked talon. Rande’s panel is available for $6,000.00 CAD.

New Panels in the Gallery

We are very excited to have a diverse selection of new panels in the gallery by artists Clinton Work (Kwakwaka'wakw), Dean Hunt (Heiltsuk), James Michels (Metis), and Alano Edzerza (Tahltan).

Clinton Work, Red Cedar Panel, Abstract design, 30" Diameter x 2", $3,200.00 CAD

This unique panel by Clinton Work depicts a cropped Abstract design featuring a slight notion of a Human face in the top right half of the panel. The piece is carved in red cedar and finished with a mixture of carbon powder and furniture wax, leaving it with an understated softness. Every surface of the panel has been knife-finished, which gives the piece added dimension and texture. This piece measures 30” Diameter x 2” and is available for $3,200.00 CAD.

Dean Hunt, Red Cedar Panel, Time Traveller, 25 1/2" x 21 1/2" x 1 7/8", $2,500.00 CAD

Dean Hunt’s panel is inspired by a mid-19^th century Heiltsuk bentwood box painted by Captain Carpenter and features a Human figure. The twelve white feathers along the top of the panel represent the twelve moons. This panel, titled Time Traveller, measures 25 ½” x 21 ½” x 1 7/8” and is available for $2,500.00 CAD.

James Michels, Red Cedar Panel,. Eagle design, 27" Diameter, $2,600.00 CAD

This panel by Metis/Cree artist James Michels is hand-carved and painted in red cedar with beautiful textured areas. The bold design depicts Eagle, a symbol of power, knowledge, peace and friendship. This piece measures 27” Diameter and is available for $2,600.00 CAD.

Alano Edzerza, Etched Glass Panel, His Blanket of Faces, 33" x 32", $5,000.00 CAD

Lastly, we have a new etched-glass panel with a red cedar mount by Tahltan artist Alano Edzerza. This elegant piece is contemporary in style and technique and features a Chilkat design. Chilkat weavings, named for the Chilkat tribe in Tlingit territory, are worn by high-ranking people and they have great symbolic power in the designs. This piece, titled His Blanket of Faces, measures 33” x 32” and is available for $5,000.00 CAD.

Left: Phil Gray, Red Cedar Panel, Ki

llerwhale design, 36" Diame

ter; Right: Rande Cook, Killerwhale design, 36" Diameter

In addition to the pieces in the gallery, we currently have five panels in the works for a custom order. The two pictured here are by artists Rande Cook (Kwakwaka’wakw) and Phil Gray (Tsimshian/Cree).

A Teaser....Upcoming show, Medium: Painting on Canvas

In the following weeks leading up to our summer show, Medium: Painting on Canvas, we will be featuring snippets of various pieces; some images will even document the early stages of a painting. This will be a great way to catch an insider’s view – a rare glimpse of the artist’s work-in-progress. Please check back with us as we will be updating a new teaser each week. This week’s sneak peek is a piece by Kwakwaka’wakw artist Rande Cook titled Oh My God. 

Medium: Painting on Canvas is a group exhibition featuring new works by various artists. All the pieces were created for the show as paintings on canvas are not often promoted within the Northwest Coast Native art market which makes this an exciting opportunity for artists to explore and showcase their work in this medium. We invite you to attend the opening on the evening of June 16^th from 5 to 8pm to see these exciting new works. An online preview will be available on June 11^th. Show ends July 15^th.