Man with Wolves

Northwest Coast serigraphs are a contemporary art form, deriving from early 20th century drawings of traditional crest and decorative designs, commissioned by anthropologists and undertaken by artists such as Charles Edenshaw. Residential schools reinforced the medium, while discouraging the use of traditional themes. An important series of traditional designs in coloured pencil and watercolour were done by Mungo Martin for UBC in 1949-50. The 1960's saw the rapid growth of prints, first in unlimited poster editions, and later with the establishment of the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Art at 'Ksan (1967), and of the Northwest Coast Artists Guild (1977), limited edition art runs became the standard. Northwest Coast silkscreen prints are part of the mainstream art market, as well as, functioning within the native context as potlatch gifts, and commemorative prints. Although, there are distinctive regional styles, individual artists may work in several styles, or apply unique themes and variations to specific works.

C.N.P. refers to Canadian Native Prints Ltd, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

contemporary art

Silkscreen print. In the centre of the print is a spindle whorl design with a central hole. The design features a male figure flanked by the symmetrical figures of two wolves. Pencil inscription beneath the image reads '81/100 Spindle Whorl Design "Man With Wolves" Stan Greene 79.' Salmon-shaped embossed logo for C.N.P. Ltd. in lower right corner.