Spear Fishing

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 naturalistic depiction, all in black tapering and curving lines; figure on right, facing away is standing on a rock or cliff, spearing a fish with a two pronged spear. This figure wears a short fringed cape, a headband over shoulder length hair, a short skirt ? and fringed leggings. A second frontal figure on left, in background, holds two-pronged spear horizontally; wears a wide brimmed hat with a central cylindrically-shaped top. Cliff edges are indicated by tapering lines, three of which curve sharply at top. Stream with two fish indicated by curved lines. Ovoid rock ? at centre bottom. Pencil written inscription, below image reads: "49/100 Spear fishing V. Stephens 78." Circular embossed stamp at bottom right reads "Canadian Native Prints Limited" with a salmon design at centre.