Tlingit style Brown Bear Mother Mask, hand carved by Robert Barratt

Artist’s Statement:

BROWN BEAR MOTHER MASK
(13” x 9 1/4” x 5” alder, copper, paua shell, mother of pearl, pigments)
This is a Brown Bear Mother Mask in the Tlingit style, inspired by the familiar story, common to many tribes on the north coast, of the high ranking young woman who unwittingly accepts the help of a handsome young man who turns out to be a bear chief. After spending the winter hibernation together, she gives birth to two sons, here depicted in inquisitive human form emerging from their mother’s ears.
Unlike the previous version of this mask, I have the hands of the children coming out onto the forehead and to facilitate carving, I did their faces separate from the mask. This gave me an opportunity to turn their heads both to create some asymmetry and give each one its own distinct character. This bear mask is very ‘maternal’ in that it is not a fanged bear, but a nurturing mother bear with a calm rather than threatening or powerful demeanor. Enjoy!
February 15, 2016 Robert Barratt

 

 

Hooked on Northwest Coast Native Art

It really happened quite by accident. I was strolling downtown Vancouver’s Georgia Street on a casual summer afternoon when I decided to make an impromptu stop at the Vancouver Art Gallery. I wasn’t much into artistic or cultural exploration at the time … the gallery was just something new to take in. In all honesty, I  didn’t even make it to the exhibits; while perusing the VAG bookstore’s featured offerings section I spied “Spirit Faces“. The book reached out to me and had instant appeal. I was immediately transported to a rich, fantastic, mythic world. In studying my inspired purchase, the cashier enquired whether I had visited the Spirit Wrestler Gallery, curated by the book’s author, Gary Wyatt. Directions in hand, I diligently made my way to Spirit Wrestler. Upon entry, I was greeted to my left by Norman Tait’s monumental Medicine Beaver Mask.  To my right was the ever gracious Gary Wyatt. This place was magical and alive. There was also something very spiritual about it all. I spent the rest of the afternoon talking with Mr. Wyatt. He was more that eager to welcome a new initiate. As I left Spirit Wrestler, I couldn’t escape the fact that my mental landscape had been forever altered. This formative introduction to Northwest Coast Native Art as “Fine Art” – as opposed to curio, artifact, or mere craft – had a profound and lasting impact on me. Needless to say, I became hooked!