friday harbor art gallery

Northwest Coast Art

“Northwest Coast Native art has always had the power to enthrall viewers. From the first explorers to the present day collector, highly graphic and inventive Indian designs have intrigued and sometimes mystified observers. Distinguished by sophistication and complexity, yet composed of simple traditional elements, Northwest Coast Indian art has become one of the most sought after contemporary art forms.

Although grouped together as “Northwest Coast” the work of the major cultural groups – Haida, Tlingit, Tsimpshian, Kwagiutl and Coast Salish – show many stylistic differences. All Northwest Coast native art, however, makes use of local cedar for masks, monumental art, wood carving, bentwood boxes and baskets. Magnificent totem poles and house posts have become emblematic of the Northwest Coast and tell stories of a rich, ancient native culture.

The same traditional form-line designs used on totem poles and masks are now employed on contemporary two-dimensional art. Serigraphs or silk-screens sold in limited editions have become one of the most popular forms of non-traditional, commercial Northwest Coast Native Indian art.

Coast Salish artist Susan Point’s works in glass, and Kwagiutl artists Richard and Stan Hunt’s bronzes have also stretched the boundaries of materials used by contemporary Northwest Coast tribal artists. As prominent Haida artist Robert Davidson has said: “The only way tradition can be carried on is to keep inventing new things.”

“Loon” by Ron Aleck

Ron Aleck 9 w x 6 h Loon carving, northwest coast art

“Loon” by Ron Aleck
9″w x 6″h – $ 395

“Eagle Moon” by Tom Hunt

Tom Hunt 36 dia Eagle Moon. cedar carving, northwest coast art

“Eagle Moon” by Tom Hunt
36″ diameter – $8,000

“Jumping Salmon” by Ron Aleck

Ron Aleck 7w x 10h Jumping Salmon, northwest coast art carving

“Jumping Salmon” by Ron Aleck
7″w x 10″h – $450

“Double Fin Orca” by Andy Wilbur

Double Fin Orca 20h x 30w Andy Wilbur Peterson northwest coast art

“Double Fin Orca” by Andy Wilbur
20″h x 30″w – $1,800

“Salmon Panel” by Andy Wilbur Peterson

Salmon Panel 24 diameter Andy Wilbur Peterson. Cedar wood round panel with image of salmon

“Salmon Panel” by Andy Wilbur Peterson
24 diameter – $1,400

“Orca Panel” by Andy Wilbur

Andy Wilbur 30 x 20 Orca Panel

“Orca Panel” by Andy Wilbur
30″w x 20″h – $1,600

“Blue Heron Panel” by Andy Wilbur

Andy Wilbur 20w x 30h Blue Heron Panel

“Blue Heron Panel” by Andy Wilbur
20″ w x 30″h – Sold

“Bird Masks” by Tom Hunt

Tom Hunt Bird Masks inquire for Price

“Bird Masks” by Tom Hunt
Inquire for size and price

“Wolf Helmet” by Tom Hunt

Tom Hunt 24 x 16 x 10 Wolf Helmet 7,500

“Wolf Helmet” by Tom Hunt
24″ x 16″ x 10″ – $7,500