Haida art is renowned among Native American art styles. 10" high red cedar mask, plus cedar bark.
In northwest coast Native art the blowhole is usually represented by a human face. This shows the close spiritual relationship between killer whales and humans. The fins are painted on the cheeks and forehead, and the head of the whale is painted upside down under the chin. Killer whales are closely related to humans and are thought of as protectors and healers of humans. It’s believed Humans that have transformed into Orcas sometimes swim close to shore when they miss their old life. It’s good luck to be splashed by an Orca.
In Native culture everything is related and everything has a spirit.
Reg Davidson is from the Haida Eagle Clan. He was born in Masset in 1954. He began carving in 1972. His influences include: his brother Robert Davidson, father Claude Davidson, grandmother Florence Davidson, and great grandfather Charles Edenshaw. He carves silver and gold jewellery, masks, helmets, large poles, rattles, and argillite sculptures. Reg is also an accomplished singer and dancer with the Rainbow Creek Dancers, a Haida Dance group formed in 1980 by Reg and Robert.
