Thunderbird and Killer Whale

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

Two stylized figures in a circle; main design forms in black with red details. Bottom figure has a large ovoid, profile head with star-shape in oval eye surrounded by red band; mouth and nostril in red with even rows of black outlined teeth. Small upturned head at top of head and body join; three slightly flaring lines of dashes extend from mouth; face is red; band of diagonal black lines across eye, red forehead with four red lines at temple. Within body is a crouching animal figure in profile, face has red band around oval eye, red nostril and mouth, and row of even black outlined teeth; black dotted line above mouth. Red diagonal lines across body and tail, otherwise black form line with red and white detail. Tail of bottom figure is ovoid with double u-shape at end. Top figure is of a bird with curved outstretched wings across top formed by series of u's and split-u's increasing sizes to wing ends; profile head with curved beak, star in oval end outlined with a band of red. Red u-shapes over body with small ovoid face at centre. Tail is a series of three u's outlined in black and red split-u's with 3 black lines at centre all above red elongated diamond surrounded by black. Pencil inscription below image reads 'Thunderbird & whale 134/180 Patrick Amos 81' on white paper stock.