Eagle

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 bilaterally symmetrical image of frontal bird image, at centre, with profile birds facing inward on either side. Basically horizontal image; central face is black ovoid with three u's and secondary red split u's on top. Eye centres are round, black, and surrounded by tapering black oval line, all surrounded by red line; wide red beak. On either side are two black elongated u's; red elongated shape below with s and u-shaped negative line indicating claws, beside red outlined ovoid with black centre. These are followed by large black u with red secondary u and split u's inside. To outside is black ovoid with salmon-trout head ovoid inside, all upside down. Ovoid surmounted by bird head. Black ovoid with round eye centre surrounded by tapering black line. Curved beak and red closed mouth. Pencil inscription reads: "100/229 Eagle Reg Davidson 1980." On light white-brown paper stock.