Forest Portrait Mask Chief

Forest Portrait Mask ChiefThis Portrait Mask is hand carved and signed by Kwakwaka'wakw artist Talon George from the Gwasala and Nakwaxdaxw First Nations in Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. The mask has been carved from red cedar and painted in red, green, brown, and black acrylic. Charcoal has been added to the surface to give a distressed finish. The mask is then finished with cedar bark trim and 2 onlays of textured copper. While carving this portrait mask, Talon was

It was one of those summer days when skies are so blue that it seems to dominate the scenery

and red feathers complete the collaboration

while the adjacent two sides come together to represent the power and majesty of the Thunderbird's wings

The carving measures approximately 4 1/2 inches or 11 1/2 centimeters high

with minor signs of wear

symbolizing a human who was devoured by the bear

The dramatic Chilkat Dancing Robe—still seen in potlatches worn by high-ranking people—is hemmed on the bottom edge with a heavy flowing fringe of white mountain goat wool

This Moon Mask is carved from one piece of red cedar by Junior Henderson from the Kwakwaka´wakw Nation

Find more information about and examples of The Bear Northwest Coast First Nations symbol

The people were saved

about 5 3/4 inches or 14 1/2 centimeters wide

When Mark Hobson called me and asked for my involvement with this group