Northwest Coast Art

Northwest Coast Art

It was in this region, richly endowed with tremendous cedar and spruce forests, that the Native American sculptor achieved his finest expression. It is probably here that the influence of tools upon the artist is best exemplified; for, with the introduction of steel cutting knives (Encyclopedia Britannica, "Northwest Coast") , the Northwest Coast artist was free to demonstrate his talent in the aesthetically superb sculpture that is rivalled by no other Indian people in North America.

Tall, straight cedar poles furnished the material for the huge memorial, or totem, poles, the smaller wooden figures, the masks, and the other carved objects so loved by the Northwest Coast Indian. Inlaid with abalone Haliotis shell and carefully painted, these products took on a quality so distinctive that they are immediately identifiable.

Another remarkable quality of the Northwest Coast artist is his skill and interest in fitting designs into forms. He excels at fitting his designs into a given area, shape, or prescribed form, yet without sacrificing the integrity of the design.

The role of the tall totem poles from this area has not been well understood by non-Indians, and many erroneous accounts have been published as to their purpose and meaning. They were not religious and were never intended to be worshipped (Encyclopedia Britannica, "Northwest Coast"). They were instead memorial documents, recording the social position, wealth, and relative importance of the person who had paid for the pole. Because family lineage, class status, wealth, and other social facts were thus recorded, it was possible to gain an “introduction” to the village chief or house owner by simply examining the tall pole. (Encyclopedia Britannica, "Northwest Coast")

Example of a totem pole

Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Northwest Coast. Retrieved October 8, 2019, from https://www.britannica.com/art/Native-American-art/Northwest-Coast.