The Pacific Coastline from Yakutat Bay in Alaska
south to the Columbia River comprises a distinct
culture and art style. The abruptly rising Coast
Range to the east made this region fairly isolated.
Abundant rainfall coupled with the Japan Current
warming the waters along the coast provided ample
variety in fish and great diversity from the forests.
Trade was possible by trails through the mountains
to the east.
Because of this wealth of food, the opportunity
of artistic expression through the manufacture
of objects was possible. Ritual equipment as well
as utilitarian objects became highly developed.
Rank was based in Ancestry and Family connections.
Privileges of title, name and rights to certain
rituals and animal crests were either won in war
or earned through diligence in trade.
Some prestige might be achieved by a particularly
adept artist- craftsman, also Shamans who cured
disease
or were successful in predictions enjoyed a certain
respect enhanced by their own abilities to project
meaning into their artworks. Ancestry based upon
mythology around animal qualities was reflected in their art. The concept of Totemism or a development
of history through lineages of animal power and
significance was paramount.
Elaborate functions, including dances, potlash
or offerings of wealth were the primary ways the
culture progressed. Wood, Bone and Ivory carving
was the most highly developed form of artistic
expression through a series of conventionalization.
This was accomplished by a type of symbolic presentation
in which an animal type was represented through
a particular form line, often however the form
being decorated, dictated the shape of the animal
being depicted i.e. the representation of an animal
figure might be split down the middle, both halves
being shown attached to a common head to facilitate
the meaning and function of the object. The artists
of the Northwest Coast accomplish some of the
most sophisticated and beautiful expressions of
art known to mankind. |
