friday harbor

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.”

“Yoe Yoes Orca” by Jim Charlie

Jim Charlie 21 diameter cedar carving, title is Yoe Yoes Orca

“Yoe Yoes Orca” by Jim Charlie
21″ dia. – Sold

“Salish Sea Box” by Andy Wilbur Peterson – alt view

 

“Salish Sea Box” by Andy Wilbur Peterson
8″ x 12″ x 8″ – Alt view

Private Residence – Salmon Run2

salmon run wood carving cedar panel large scale wall hanging

“Salmon Run” cedar panel custom designed by Rande Cook. Salmon swimming towards the front door welcome those who enter the home and symbolize abundance. Rande is a master at designing pieces of the right scale for challenging architectural spaces.

 

 

“Dancing Bear” by Markoosie Papigatok

inuit stone sculpture of a dancing bear by artist markoosie Papigatok at arctic raven art gallery in friday harbor WA

“Dancing Bear” by Markoosie Papigatok
7″ x 5″ x 4″ – Sold

“Animals” by Pudlalik Shaa

Animals inuit carving by Pudlalik shaa - inuit stone carving at Arctic Raven Gallery in Friday harbor WA

“Animals” by Pudlalik Shaa
11″ x 8″ x 5″ – $2,200

“Dancing Bear” by Markoosie Papigatok

dancing polar bear inuit sculpture

“Dancing Bear” by Markoosie Papigatok
6″ x 6″ x 4″ – Sold

“Bear with Cub” by Kooyoo Peter

bear with cub inuit stone sculpture

“Bear with Cub” by Kooyoo Peter
4″ x 4″ x 4″ – Sold

“Walking Bear” by Tony Oqutaq

Walking Bear by Tony Oqutaq Inuit sculpture

“Walking Bear” by Tony Oqutaq
7″ x 3″ x 5″ – Sold

“Mother & Child” Sculpture by Silas Qiyak

Mother & Child Sculpture by Silas Qiyak

“Mother & Child” Sculpture by Silas Qiyak
5″ x 6″ x 3″ – $560