Transformation Mural II Raven-Whale-Woman-Bearman-Eagleman.

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

Five intertwined stylized figures and a series of raven style heads. In general, bird-like images are in black form line, etc., with orange-red detail. Humanoid figures are in orange-red with black detail. Frontal bird-like image across the top left with a profile head facing to the right side. Long, open beak interlocks with large raven-like wing head on the right top. Bird has black circle in circle eye surrounded by an orange-red tapering ovoid. Ear or crest above is a u form with a red split u. Body has black ovoid in ovoid at the centre below the neck with bilaterally symmetrical wings. Wings curve down to ovoid shapes with an orange-red ovoid at the end of the u form at the shoulder. Tail is two elongated u shaped segments. Upside down, orange-red, bilaterally symmetrical bird-human is on top of the tail with the hands clutching ovoids at the ends of the wings. Has a profile head facing to the left side with an eagle style hooked beak, round eye, s-shapes on chest, bird-like feet, and a two segment tail. Upside down humanoid figure at bottom left with a frontal bilaterally symmetrical body and profile head facing to the right side. Bent arms and legs out to sides, s-shapes along the torso, and black ovoid in ovoid palms with outlined fingers. Black outlined male genitals. Head has black sketchy hair, even teeth rows, and a semi-circle eye. Sinewy, red, crouching profile figure emerges from between the teeth, to the right, and the arm has a bent elbow and red outlined hand. Black profile head is facing to the right side with black lines outlining the hair, circle in circle eyes, and thick red open lips with two expanding lines extending from the mouth. Chin rests on upside down raven type head with lower jaw surrounding the body. Another upside down raven style head is to the left side and is connected to a large raven wing-head feature to the top right. Pencil inscription along the bottom edge reads 'Tony Hunt TRANSFORMATION MURAL II Artist's Proof Raven-Whale-Woman-Bearman-Eagleman'. The print is on a vertically rectangular, light brown paper stock.