Indigenous Art. 21" long, hand carved yellow cedar. Kwak'waka'wakw design.
Will Wadhams, a Kwakwaka'wakw artist, has masterfully crafted a yellow cedar halibut bowl, a piece that embodies both artistic excellence and deep cultural significance. The bowl's clean lines and smooth, precise gouging showcase Wadhams's exceptional skill, while the expert design reflects the rich traditions of his people.
Unstained yellow cedar, a material that’s becoming rare, lends a warm, natural beauty to the bowl. It’s carved into the shape of a halibut, a vital food source for Northwest Coast Indigenous communities. The distribution of halibut reinforces social ties and obligations, a practice deeply embedded in the region's cultural fabric.
The bowl's creation mirrors the meticulous approach used in crafting traditional halibut hooks, tools adorned with figures carrying spiritual meaning. Wadhams's work, like these tools, honours the halibut and the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Fishing protocols, emphasizing respect for the halibut, ensure the continuation of this crucial resource. This halibut bowl, therefore, is not merely a vessel, but a testament to the enduring connection between the Kwak’waka'wakw people and the life-sustaining bounty of the sea.
