Tsimshian Woman

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 Indian Art at 'Ksan (1967), and of the Northwest Coast Indian 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.

contemporary art

Stylized frontal, bilaterally symmetrical face has circular black eyes outlined by a tapering oval that have thick black eyebrows above with double red bands above and below. Red u form on each cheek. Nose is a tapering black triangle with ovoid nostrils. Red mouth and a red ovoid at the chin. Black hair framing the face in form line bands with slightly curved strands to the outside and s-shapes between the bands. Red medallion at neckline with a four-pointed star-cross at the centre and two strands below. Collar is outlined in sweeping black lines. Black ink inscription across the bottom edge reads '51/150 Tsimshian Woman R. Vickers /74'. Embossed stamp at the lower left reads 'Printed Vin Rickart'. The print is on a vertically rectangular, light green-brown paper stock.