{"product_id":"mask-depicting-kwakwaka-wakw-style-pookmis-by-wayne-alfred","title":"Mask depicting Kwakwaka’wakw Style Pookmis by Wayne Alfred","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eNuxalk (\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eBella Coola) Style Portrait Mask, c. 1990\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eDuane Pasco (1932-2024)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003ealder, abalone, copper, beaver fur, leather, pigment\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e19” high x 9.5” wide x 6” deep\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ePookmis is a formidable sea spirit. Associated with the Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations, he is known as the \"nearly drowned man\" or the spirit of drowned whalers, and keeper of drowned souls. According to tradition, when a whale hunter drowns at sea, Pookmis swallows their spirit, safeguards it, and later returns it to their home village during memorial potlatch ceremonies.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eMost collectors will be familiar with the Nuu-Chah-Nulth style of Pookmis, with a ghostly, fish-like face with gills and pursed lips that make a hooting sound. This rare Kwakwaka'wakw style Pookmis embodies the treacherous and dangerous power of the ocean, as referenced by the red and blue paint. Pookmis acts as a reminder of the caution seafarers must hold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eKwakwaka’wakw carver Wayne Alfred was born in 1958 into the 'Namgis First Nation, near the northeastern coast of Vancouver Island.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eHis family are artistically, culturally, and politically active within his First Peoples' Nation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWayne’s very refined and meticulous carving and painting work reflects influences from such historic artists as Arthur Shaughnessy, Mungo Martin and Willy Seaweed, combined with his own sense of Kwakwaka’wakw tradition.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eHis deep understanding of the dramatic considerations of making masks and ceremonial pieces is reflected in his highly collectible works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWayne began carving at a very young age and received a great deal of support and encouragement from his elders to pursue his artwork on a full-time basis.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eHe is respected singer and a Head Hamatsa dancer, or leader of the initiation process into this high status and secret society within the community. Wayne’s historical knowledge and familiarity with traditional practices and oral traditions set him apart as a community leader and establishes him as an influential figure to emerging artists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eIn the 1980’s Beau Dick and Wayne completed a thirty-foot totem pole that stands in Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eIn 1998 Wayne helped rebuild the ‘Big House’ in Alert Bay, the central congregational community structure destroyed in a fire in 1997.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eHis background and his artwork have been documented in many books focusing on the combination of traditional and contemporary themes, and his art has been showcased worldwide in important exhibitions and catalogs of Northwest Coast art.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eIn 2012, he was awarded British Columbia’s Creative Achievement Award for First Nations’ Art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Quintana Galleries","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53889526595695,"sku":null,"price":2800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1813\/7073\/files\/NWC26006_Pookmis.jpg?v=1785085931","url":"https:\/\/quintanagalleries.com\/products\/mask-depicting-kwakwaka-wakw-style-pookmis-by-wayne-alfred","provider":"Quintana Galleries","version":"1.0","type":"link"}