Photo Gallery

Portrait of the famous Coast Salish artist Simon Charlie (born 1919), who lives in Koksilah on Vancouver Island. Among his other works is a Sxwayxwey mask he carved for "The Legacy" the traveling exhibit of the Provincial Museum in Victoria.

In addition to the sea otter, seals were also hunted for their fur and their meat. Detail of a silk-screen by Susan A. Point, Coast Salish

Physical education teacher and artist David Boxley of Metlakatla teaches an elective course on traditional Tsimshian culture. Far too often, knowledge of the old ways can be found only in books. People such as David Boxley are, therefore, more important than ever before to the student's identity development.

«Salmon-trout-head ovoid» motif by Tsimshian artist Roy Vickers

«Tsimshian man», motif by Tsimshian artist Roy Vickers

Bentwood box with bear motif by David Boxley, Tsimshian. (88 cm, 1985)

«Salmon»: a crest board with a salmon carved in relief with a superimposed fish mouth, by David Boxley of Metlakatla. (76 cm: 1985)

Next to his house in Metlakatla, David Boxley has turned a shed into a workshop, where he spends his spare time working on his art. At the time we visited him in 1985 he was carving a crest board with the heraldic animal of his family, an eagle represented in double profile.

In his large studio next to Saxman Totem Park in Ketchikan, Nathan P. Jackson works on a new totem pole for a ceremonial house planned for the communitv. As with all Northwest Coast artists, his most important tool is the adze.

Like many other Haida artists, Garner Moody, born in 1958, specializes in argillite carving. Among his teachers are his uncle, Rufus Moody, and Alfred Collinson. Garner Moody lives in Skidegate.

The Tsimshian artist Ken Mowatt is known for his rather modern silk-screens. Here, in his studio in Hazelton, he works on a new silk-screen.

Reggie B. Peterson was employed in wood carver and silversmith at the Southeast Alaska Cultural Center in Sitka. Here the Tlingit artist puts the finishing touches on an alder wood mask.

On this silk-screen created in 1985 in the traditional style - if that can even be said about this new art form, which is relatively new to Northwest Coast art - Tony Hunt has drawn three important heraldic animals. At the top is the eagle, his claws on the head of a killer whale. which is resting on a beaver.

Krista Point, Susan Point's niece, is considered an excellent weaver of typically Coast Salish rugs. The loom is an improved version of the simpler looms used in earlier times.

«Scana with the Woman» (Killer Whale and Woman). Silk-screen from Freda Diesing (1980).

«The Eagle and the Salmon» Silk-screen from Stan Greene in the form of a spindle whorl carving. The faces symbolizes the human essence of the animals.

«Kwa-Gulth Moon» (Kwakiutl Moon). Silk-screen print from Richard Hunt with U and S forms, as well as the color yellow, typical characteristics of the Kwakiutl style. (65 cm, 1978)

Tony Hunt explains a halibut motif on a new totem pole for his Fort Rupert Kwakiutl community.