Native Art Of The Northwest Coast

By Author: Kurt Ferguson
Total Articles: 54
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Native art is symbolic of the profound relations between the outside world and the tribal world. Connoisseurs of the art are of the view that these arts are a reflection of the culture and beliefs of the artists and tribes who crafted these pieces. In fact, most works are full of spiritual meanings, symbolism, and offer a purpose. While earlier this art was meant for intratribal functionality, it later evolved as a source of means. People should beware of the many false artworks doing the rounds. They fail to understand that these fake pieces of art could have serious legal implications. These works are an insult to the authentic pieces. Many an art gallery on the web features authentic pieces of art. However, only experts of this art can distinguish between real and copies.

What Do They Reflect?

Most of the authentic art and craft pieces showcase pictures from the nature. An eagle and a thunderbird are common images that feature in these works. These images are also a reflection of the aboriginal people, their life, and cultures. Most pieces of aboriginal art reflect spiritual elements, which show the belief of ...
... these people in spirituality. For instance, the presence of feathers in these works is a symbol of mysticism. The embodiment of natural elements in the works, including water, air, earth, or animals, is a sign of their love for nature. The native people associated spirituality with the Earth and expressed this through art.

Apart from these works of art, their excellent craft is reflected in the jewelry which is often made of silver and turquoise. They also produce baskets and beadwork. Beadwork is an important part of Canadian Indian art and creates patterns and pictures on a piece of leather clothing, hair accessories, and footwear. Original art contains beads made of bones and shells or other items found in nature. The baskets also showcased designs made from natural elements like wood and grass.
Uses

Most artworks and items of craft were used in ceremonies. A headdress or war shirt is used as ceremonial clothing. Apart from this, there are everyday items of use like pottery, which are hand-decorated and contain beautiful highlights. Native art also serves as a means of earnings for some people. Also, elaborate costumes were worn by the leaders of the tribe to show their position. Leaders usually wore costumes made of leather, feathers, paints, and beads, especially during religious ceremonies. These artistic traditions are heralded the world over as symbols of imaginative and stylistic qualities.

In fact, many pieces of art and craft can be found. Art connoisseurs interpret works of art by understanding and appreciating the ways of tribal people's lives, their values, and principles. Unless this is done, the function and meaning of native art cannot be understood. These pieces of art have been collected for the past 400 years. Explorers, missionaries, scholars, artists, and traders have been collecting these pieces for a long time now to find their true meaning. However, the true richness and meaning can only be studied using the artworks concerning the various regions of Canada like Arctic region where carvings from ivory, bone, and antler can be found. Similarly, in the prairies, painting on hides was more common.

Canadian Indian Art Inc. promotes the unique native art of the Squamish native artists. It offers the largest collection of West Coast artworks. The company has clients all over the world.