To many, Northwestern First Nations art appears primitive and simple, however, that understanding is narrow-minded and incorrect. In fact, First Nations art is powerful, bold, creative, and a tool to pass on the traditions, customs, legends, and histories of the First Nations people. Art is not just an abstract idea but is ingrained into their way of life.
From baskets woven so tightly that the stitches look almost invisible, to beautifully crafted carvings and totem poles, all Northwestern indigenous art shows careful attention to detail, technique, and innovative ideas. A constant flowing line carries the viewer through contours, animals, the supernatural, myths, history, and family heritage. Every piece of art is used. Blankets,
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"Every part of this soil is sacred in the estimation of my people"
-Chief Seattle of the Squamish and Duwamish nations (1853, when asked to sell land to the United States government.)
Artists in the Northwest were middle class, and usually, art was done for an extra wage. Other middle-class jobs included craftsmen, hunters and gatherers, and cooks. The upper class was purely people whose job was to gain money, which was then given away during potlatches. The lower class were slaves captured when fighting with other nations or tribes.
Indigenous art in the Northwest was comprised of totem poles, large communal houses, masks, baskets, costume, and cutlery. Art changed from nation to nation, however, there were themes and motifs within certain regions.
“Their wealth of artistry is impressive: totem poles, large communal houses made of cedar planks, vivid dramatic masks, expertly made baskets, animal-shapes hats, clothing decorated with abstract designs, feast dishes, carved spoons, and so much more."
Their art wasn 't just for decoration, it was a part of everyday life. Their art was woven into their clothing, their dishes, even their very homes.
The architecture of the northwest is extremely distinct with amazing longhouses which are a trademark of the area. Before European contact, the Haida, Tlingit, Tsimshian and Haisla built gabled roof houses which were about sixty square feet. The Nuxalk,
Additionally, another piece of art that stood out in the Native American art were Human Effigy Bottle
The Creek Indian Tribe created art by using items they found in nature. They used it to tell a story or represent history. Each item that was made had a purpose and was put to use. Many of the items were created just before the Green Corn Festival.
Chiefs felt at ease to alter aboriginal architectural to suit their own aesthetic appeal and desire. They were quick to “incorporate western notions of domestic space than the commoners in more rural areas”. Now, western elements were considered as only the elite few could afford. The chiefs “opened [their] houses for a more public display of status-enhancing European goods” (Ladegoged, #). By 1837, even local houses used material found in Hawaii but with more Western elements incorporated into the design of architecture, for example “windows, high ceilings and large portal entrances” (“Hawaii
The Canadian North, a rugged landscape often glamorized as a land of adventure and promise, hides a dark history. From the early day’s of the gold rush, when the land was first colonised, to the attempted cultural assimilation of the indigenous peoples through residential schools, the people native to the area are still in a struggle of identity and culture, and the resulting effects such as high suicide rates, poverty and drug abuse,. It is through this lens that I will examine the work of Ted Harrison, a prolific English artist who spent the majority of his life living in the Yukon and painting the contemporary society that he saw around him. There is no doubt that his work was highly intertwined with the indigenous culture, and as such his identity brings up questions regarding the appropriation of native american culture. To that end, this essay will look at the context of his biography, the subject matter of his work, and compare it to contemporary Native American artists in order to clarify the nature of his art.
Native American basketry is a difficult task and it takes a lot of skill. It was utilized for many purposes such as gathering, cooking, storing and drinking. I believe the dealers lore led to the transformation of artwork due to the amount of skill that was put into weaving baskets. These are now displayed
The traditional aboriginal art depicts places, events and dreaming ancestors, also incorporating actual events, whereas the temporary was only for initiation ceremonies and funerals. The aboriginal art opens up ways of communicating the close relationship between the ancestral beings and the laws, views, values, ceremonies and obligations of the people. They enable understanding and knowledge within a community and also partcially the outside world.
The Innu and the Innu both have very special beliefs.They both believe in myths. For example, the “Caribou man”.This man tells the story of an Eskimo man. But the myths are different. They both also hunt for their food. They hunt by fishing so they eat fish. Hunting caribou is another way they obtain food. You wouldn’t think these tribes would have art in common but they do. Making some considerable
Indigenous literacies are used to communicate certain messages that are meaningful to the people in that individual community. These literacies are used to communicate stories, laws, maps, songs and dances to their own society. These forms of literacies are seen as being crucial to the cultural community as they are used to convey the social practices that should be handed down through the generations. Indigenous literacies may be interpreted in western cultures as art but they are actually narratives and recounts that Indigenous people generate. Indigenous literacies derive from different worldviews and connection to a range of components. They are then shaped and reiterated through knowledge systems that highlight knowing one’s stories of kinship. Indigenous Literacies are seen in forms such as on tress, bark, wood, sticks, rocks, carvings, in the soil and on bodies and
The Navajo are centrally located in the Southwestern United States. Even though their culture is in America, it differs from the culture of Western America. The difference lies in everything from religion to personal expression. In fact, a significant portion of personal expression done by Navajo individuals is shown through their artwork. The artwork is a not only a representation of the Navajo lifestyle, but their significance to history. The Navajo artwork that will be discussed includes artforms such as sand painting, rugs, pottery, and silver making; these will be defined and the technique and/or creative process will be explained as well.
Throughout history, societies have defined and transformed themselves through their art. When looking at works of art today, a person sees not only the work of art itself, but also the world from which it came from. The same is true for this transformation mask, which reflects the works of art and beliefs of the Northwest Coast Tribes.
They have different styles. The Inuit make carvings of men or animals very different than the Haida's art they make baskets and they weave hats. But these aren't the only ones that are different the Iroquois do clay art. All of these groups are very different. So this means they are all different. So they all have their own type of style. Speaking of style they also have different types of housing. Like us they have different types of
The artwork is different and unique. They made artwork of arctic animals, people, spirits. Like, polar bears, the chief, and the gods they believe in. The housing is also different. They live in igloos, tents, and Inuvialuit houses. Igloos are made of ice. Tents are made of wood and animal hide. Also, Inuvialuit houses are made of wood, dirt, and hides. They also ate different foods. The Inuit ate Hooded Seal, Beluga Whale, Walrus, Narwhal, Caribou, Polar Bear, Musk Oxen, Arctic Fox, Arctic Hare, and the Arctic Bird. The Inuit are different.
“The quilting bee soon flourished to an even greater extent than it had in New England” (Hechtlinger). Many quilts that were made in this time are now hanging in museums for all to see the beautiful needlework of the pioneer women. The native Americans did not have all of the advantages in technology like the pioneers did. Native American women had to grow or barter goods such as cotton, twine, and dye to create such beautiful quilts, which also, are some of the most beautiful works done that are hung in museums today. Quilting was a big technique that the Native Americans borrowed from the Europeans.
Art is a very realistic aspect among the Native Americans. In fact, what we call primitive art is actually symbolic objects from the process of a sacred ceremony. This concept is one not easily understood. Furthermore, this concept by Sam Gill is explained in Native American Religions. Sam Gill shows that Native American Art is different in meaning because of its contents then what modern societies consider art. Nonliterate people produce objects of beauty through ceremonial performances and rituals that keeps the cosmos in order, while modern societies over look these factors.
Creating art is one of the single defining factors that set humans apart from animal species. Through art, humans are able to express their innermost ideas and feelings, without having the difficulty of trying to find the correct words to accurately describe their thought processes. Works of art can help us to understand the people who have come before us. This is evidenced by the knowledge humans have discovered of prehistoric men and their symbolic cave paintings. The expression, style, and meaning vary and archaeologists put in much effort to uncover these works.