The Haida Art of Bill Reid.

September 18, 2003 9:33 AM

The Haida Art of Bill Reid.Be sure to check out the links just under his name, along with the bestiary and the gallery, and read the story of raven and the first men, on display at the University of British Columbia’s wonderful Anthropology Museum (of which you can take a virtual tour) flash&quicktime. You can see more of Bill Reid’s work, and that of other West Coast first nations artists, at this commercial gallery. Finally, visit The Respect to Bill Reid Pole (The timeline is particularly fascinating.) flash req'd.
posted by stonerose (6 comments total)

I have always loved The Spirit of Haida Gwaii at the Vancouver Internation Airport. It is an amazing piece.
posted by Razzle Bathbone at 9:53 AM on September 18, 2003

I second the suggestion to visit the UBC Anthropology Museum. Wonderful place, and a must for anyone visiting Vancouver.
posted by PrinceValium at 9:57 AM on September 18, 2003

Great post! Funny, I linked to Raven and the First Men in a thread about tool using crows. It's a favorite sculpture of mine and the display of it in the museum is excellent. I agree, the Anthropology Museum is a really good museum.
posted by lobakgo at 10:29 AM on September 18, 2003

Bill Reid is great. I go to the UBC Anthropology Museum every time I get to Vancouver. Nice links!
posted by websavvy at 11:51 AM on September 18, 2003

I'm curious, do those of you who posted comments see some maybe unexpected humor in many of the pieces at the museum and in other Pacific NW Native art? I can't remember specific instances, but I remember thinking the artist was making a joke or teasing and it made me like the art even more.
posted by lobakgo at 3:19 PM on September 18, 2003

Excellent links, stonerose - I loved this post, thank you!

lobakgo, that's an interesting question you raise. I think it's highly possible that some of the playful or humorous spirit you pick up may indeed be intentional - I am always charmed by the whimsicality with which even the most fearsome creatures are depicted by Inuit sculptors. But that being said, I sometimes wonder how much of our own cultural values we impose. I just saw the film The Whale Rider, and when the Maori fighters were striking battle pose, many people found it hilarious yet they are truly fearsome. But to our western culture, we mug it up to amuse rather than inspire fear.
posted by madamjujujive at 8:56 PM on September 18, 2003