Pacific Northwest Carvings

TedM · #1 06-27-2008, 02:04 PM

I have always had a fascination with Pacific Northwest woodcarvings and a couple of weeks ago I was in Vancouver and had a chance to visit a few places to see these carvings up close.

I first went to Hills Native Art store which, though a retail outlet, is more like a museum or art gallery. It has hundreds of pieces of contemporary Native woodcarvings.

Next I had the chance to spend an afternoon in Stanley Park where the high point of my day was a visit to Totem Park. There are eight Totem poles there and a small interpretive center.

Then I visited the Museum Of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia where I got a chance to see and learn more about traditional woodcarving through actual artifacts.

I came home, not only with a better appreciation of First Peoples artwork, but with more of an understanding of their history and culture.

If anyone is interested I have posted quite a few photos on my website located here:

The Hills Are Alive With Native Art! | Woodworker's Guide

The Totem Poles Of Totem Park | Woodworker's Guide

The Museum Of Anthropology At UBC | Woodworker's Guide

sharon cottrell · #2 06-27-2008, 02:23 PM

Ted , I looked up your website, really awesome and fun. I book marked it. Neat stuff!

North Wind · #3 06-27-2008, 03:24 PM

You are one fortunate person to see that. I too love there art and hope to some day take a trip like that. The carvings are wonderful.Thanks for posting the pics. Vince

Simplyme · #4 06-27-2008, 04:13 PM

Thanks for the pics.........makes me appreciate this art more.......

TedM · #5 06-30-2008, 07:09 AM

Thanks for looking! It truly was a great trip!

Orygoner · #6 07-01-2008, 04:25 PM

Thx for posting this. I, too, am fascinated by the NW Indian art and designs. It's beautiful stuff with significant cultural meaning.

TedM · #7 07-02-2008, 07:37 AM

Orygoner, looked at your RavenWolf paddle - Beautiful!

torpidhummer · #8 07-02-2008, 01:10 PM

Thanks Ted,great sites you posted, must have been a great venture for you. When I worked on a reservation in Oregon and became interested in NW Indian Carvings, I was told by an elder that the chain of importance on a totem pole was from the bottom up. How true that is, I don't know but it makes sense.
Oscar

RussL. · #9 07-02-2008, 03:06 PM

Thanks for the post and the URLs.
I find the native carvings of the Pacific Northwest very moving, with a certain silent majesty.

Russ

chuckt · #10 07-03-2008, 08:23 AM

Hey Ted - I haven't checked out the NW site links yet, but I DID check out YOUR site. LOVE you Garden Green dudes. WAY cool!

I have been planning to carve up a bunch like you did to nestle into the greenery around my yard. You've given me some great inspiration with your shots. Now - to find the time to make it happen. So many things I want to carve and so so little time to do it.

ChuckT