Northwest Coast Native Art

$90.00

Item WASP13

18 x 15

0 lbs. 2 oz.

Extra packaging required. A surcharge of 16.00 will be added to order.

Killer Whale Black/Blue
by Nathaniel P. Wilkerson

This print is a hand pulled serigraph, numbered, and signed with a Certificate of Authenticity. Shrink wrapped 18 x 15 print

Killer Whale is a very important crest and mythic being throughout the Pacific Northwest. In legend he is widely recognized as a clan ancestor, and is associated with power, dignity, prosperity and longevity. According to some myths, the first Killer Whale was previously a supernatural white wolf that entered the sea and transformed itself into a whale. These two beings are thus physical manifestation of the same spirit or essence. It was believed a Killer Whale could capsize a canoe and carry its occupants underwater to its village, transforming the occupants themselves into Killer Whales. Thus, a Whale near the shore was a human transformed and trying to communicate with his previous human family ashore. Killer Whale is often depicted in the artwork and is a frequent motif of many print makers. The distinguishing features are clearly defined and usually consist of a round snub-nosed head, large mouth with many teeth, blowhole, dorsal fin, pectoral fin and a tail with symmetrical flukes. Killer Whales in a breaching posture are very popular as well as embedding faces and other animals in the body or dorsal fin of the creature.

Nathaniel P. Wilkerson

Nathaniel P. Wilkerson's Native American ancestry is through the Gitksan Tribe in Hazelton (Gitan'maaxs) B.C., Canada. He is a member of the Wolf clan (lax Gibuu), house of "Amaget". His mother's grandparents are Peter Gordon Wilson and Amelia Angus, both from the Hazelton/Kispios Ans'payaxw) area. Nathaniel was raised in Terrace, B.C. and spent most of his youth working on the family farm. At age 11, Nathaniel attended a seminar put on by Freda Diesing. Private lessons were arranged with Freda so that he could be properly schooled in the arts of his people. Nathaniel learned the basic rules and concepts of the artwork and became familiar with most of the animals and their distinguishing characteristics (i.e. wolf, eagle, bear, beaver, hawk, raven etc.) Nathaniel was also fortunate in that Freda spent a good deal of time teaching him to actually carve out a number of pieces from Red Cedar and Yellow Cedar. From this he was able to learn the basics of wood carving (bas relief only) and how to take a piece from simple artwork to a finished product. Nathaniel credits Freda Diesing for his training, and for the influence her work has had on his own work. Nathaniel prefers a more classical approach in his artwork, with heavier form lines and a look that is probably more Haida than Tshimshian. Nathaniel's wife, Cynthia, is supportive of his artwork and often helps in the composition of many pieces. Nathaniel and Cynthia have four very active children. The family resides in Olympia, Washington.

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Killer Whale

In the Northwest Coast Native American culture these majestic creatures are associated with strength, dignity, prosperity, and longevity. Killer Whales are thought to be the reincarnations of great chiefs. They often guide people to safety when they are caught in stormy weather. All along the coast, fishermen and hunters often applied Killer Whale designs to their canoes for safety.

Whales, a common motif in the art of the Northwest Coast peoples, were the subject of countless stories and legends. One story held that a whale could capture a canoe and drag it and the people aboard down to an underwater Village of the Whales. These people were then transformed into whales themselves. The Haida believed that whales seen near villages were these drowned people trying to communicate with the villagers. The Coastal Indians held whales in great respect. The West Coast people of Vancouver Island, and the related Makahs, the only groups to hunt whales, underwent significant purification ceremonies prior to the hunt. The Orca is always regarded with respect by the Northwest Coastal Native Americans. He is the subject of much fantasy and superstition. The Orca is given to show respect and awe, and to tell someone that they bring harmony to your life.