S'abadeb—The Gifts: Pacific Coast Salish Art and Artists Exhibit

Totems - Comox Valley, British Columbia - Canada
Originally uploaded by kk+

When we think of native art in the Puget Sound area, totem poles usually come to mind such as the one on the right, photographed by kk+. But this is actually representative of Northwest Coastal Art. Salish and Northwest Coast Art do have some similarities, but Salish art is distinguishably different and tends to be more utilitarian.

It is only appropriate that the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) took part of the revitalization of Salish art, a form of art that characterized the people that lived in Seattle before the Point Elliot Treaty. The S'abadeb—The Gifts Exhibit opened at the SAM last Friday and will run until January 11, 2009.

S'abadeb—The Gifts: Pacific Coast Salish Art and Artists is a major exhibition that explores the unique artistry and culture of Salish First Peoples of Washington State and British Columbia. The exhibition features more than 175 works of art from national and international collections that offer a glimpse into the daily and ceremonial lives of the 39 sovereign Salish Nations. Many of the works have never before been on view and are, for the first time, interpreted by Native voices.

Within this visually stunning exhibition, historic works of sculpture, basketry and weaving are shown side by side with contemporary artworks, including paintings, prints and photographs, to emphasize the ongoing vitality of the artistic traditions today. Dynamic multimedia presentations will be featured in the galleries, taking visitors into the territories, lives and rich oral traditions of the Salish First Peoples.
–Barbara Brotherton, Curator of Native American Art

The exhibit includes the work of contemporary Salish Artists such as Michael Pavel (Skokomish), Ed Carriere (Suquamish), Andrea Wilburg-Sigo (Squaxin) and Marvin Oliver (Quinault/Isleta Pueblo).

S'abadeb—The Gifts: Pacific Coast Salish Art and Artists
October 24, 2008–January 11, 2009
SAM Simonyi Special Exhibition Galleries
ADMISSION: $13, $10 seniors (62+), $7 teens (13-17) and students (with ID), free for children under 13 and museum members

Also at the exhibit
Matika Wilbur (Swinomish/Tulalip) · Susan Pavel (Skokomish) · Bill James (Lummi) · Fran James (Lummi) · Susan Point (Musqueam) · Alice Williams (Upper Skagit) · Ron Modeste (Saanich) · Rena Point Bolton (Skowkale) · Mrs. Louis George (Nooksack) · Mrs. John Good, (Nisqually) · Amy Cooper, (Soowahlie) · Gerald Bruce subiyay Miller (Skokomish) · Karen Skyki Reed (Chinook/Puyallup) · John Cheshiahud (Duwamish) ·Shaun Peterson (Tulalip/Puyallup) · Aaron Nelson-Moody (Suquamish) · Martha James (Seabird Island) · Mary Peters (Seabird Island First Nation) ·Susan Wawatkin Bedal (Sauk) · Jennie Kanim (Snoqualmie) · Agnes James (Snohomish) · Ron Hilbert Coy (Tulalip/Upper Skagit) · Andy Peterson (Skokomish) · Mary Lou Slaughter (Duwamish) · Simon Charlie (Cowichan) · Debra Sparrow (Musqueam) · John Marston (Chemainus) · Luke Marston (Chemainus) · Heather Johnson-Jock (Jamestown S'Klallam) · Manuel Salazar (Cowichan) Maynard Johnny Jr. (Penelakut) · Lawrence Paul (Yuxwelupton) · Kelly Cannell (Musqueam) · Roger Fernandes (Lower Elwha S'Klallam) · Floyd Joseph (Suquamish) · Charles Elliott (Saanich) · Edward Joe (Cowichan) · Stan Greene (Semiahmoo/Chehalis/Nez Perce) · Dionne Pau (Sechelt) · Buddy Joseph (Suquamish) · Chief Janice Georg (Suquamish) · Lynn Wilbur-Foster (Squaxin) · Jennie Harmon (Suquamish) · Phoebe Charley (Twana) · Jane Marston (Chemainus)

Source: Seattle Art Museum

* * *

Through My Eyes: “whip it...the video...60/365” by The Revamp Tramp [this woman is HILARIOUS]
Through My Ears: Por Mucho Que Tu Lo Quisieas by Navajita Platea
Through My Mind: Seeker of Visions, Lame Deer
In My Thoughts: “A medicine man shouldn’t be a saint” “It means not being afraid of cutting up and playing the fool now and then. That’s sacred too.” in Seeker of Visions, by Lame Deer