24" H x 22" W, silk screen print.
" 'Elemental Wolf' is a play on words as I use Salish elements crescents and Salish eyes above and below the wolf. The wolf represents a supernatural wolf. a spirit guide as it is one of my crests." Maynard Johnny
Coast Salish art is a distinctive and beautiful form of Indigenous art. It focus on deeply meaningful elements, reflecting spiritual and cultural values. In the past Coast Salish art was not usually displayed publicly, as it was primarily created for personal or ceremonial purposes. Public depictions of spiritual beings were avoided, as they were believed to harm the relationship between humans and the spirit world.
The visual language of Coast Salish art is rich with symbolic shapes, including crescents, circles, trigons, and the iconic Salish eye. These elements are integrated into carvings and paintings of animals, ancestors, and spiritual beings. House posts, for example, are carved to tell family histories and honour ancestors, while Skwayskway masks feature striking bulging cylindrical eyes and horns, embodying spiritual power. Functional items like rattles, often carved from mountain goat horns, are also adorned with meaningful designs. Other artistic creations included welcome figures, bentwood boxes, canoes, and regalia, all of which play vital roles in traditional Coast Salish society.
Weaving holds a special place in Coast Salish culture, both historically and today. Tools such as loom poles, combs, and spindle whorls are meticulously carved with intricate geometric patterns and depictions of humans, animals, and spirits. These tools are used to create stunning textiles, which remain a cornerstone of Coast Salish identity and artistry.
