Coast Salish and Northwest Coast First Nations of B.C.
This project focuses on the two-dimensional design artwork of First Nations artists from the north and
southwest coast of B.C.
Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, the lower Fraser Valley including Langley and Chilliwack, the lower part of
Vancouver Island, as well as Washington and Oregon state all belong to the territory of the Coast Salish
peoples, which include the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Sto:lo peoples.
The Northwest Coast of B.C. north of Powell River and extending all the way to the south of the Yukon
Territory is the territory of the Pacific Northwest Coast First Nations, which include the
Kwakwaka'wakw, Haida, Tsimshian, and Nisga’a peoples.
B.C. is also home to the interior, Okanagan, Carrier and many other First Nations peoples. However this
project focuses on the work of those from the west coast, who have a unique art style most often seen
around Vancouver and the lower mainland.
Haida
The Haida territory is located on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, and the islands which make up the
Haida Gwaii on the Northwest Coast of B.C. Haida are known for being skilled artisans in wood,
creating huge totem poles from the massive, thousand-year-old cedar trees that make up their home.
Haida were also known for their propensity to travel thousands of miles by water for the purpose of
raiding and slaving, travelling as far south as Mexico.
Haida artwork can generally be recognized by huge eyes and large, broad, round facial features. The
killer whale and raven feature prominently in Haida artwork. Haida artwork can also be recognized by
the characteristic wide-brimmed hat, and labret (large, stretched lower-lip) piercing which appears in
some carvings and artwork featuring people. Haida are known for their large totem poles, as well as a
unique form of carving done in argillite, a special variety of stone only found in Haida territory. Haida
artwork generally has a fuller and rounder appearance than the artwork of other Northwest Coast
nations, with the stylistic features being much larger and more dominant in both two-dimensional and
three-dimensional works.
Canadian artist Bill Reid is of the Haida Nation. He is known for his passion to revive traditional Haida
design, and his extremely large and diverse oeuvre. He is most well-known for his sculptural work, such
as the statue Spirit of the Haida Gwaii which is currently at Vancouver International Airport and was
previously featured on the 2004 issue of the 20 dollar bill. However Bill has an extensive repertoire of
work which includes carving, jewelry, painting and print.
Kwakwaka’wakw
The Kwakwaka’wakw consist of 17 tribes living on the mainland and Vancouver Island, united in
speaking the language Kwakwala.
Kwakwaka’wakw art is recognized as being quite complex in design, often filling “empty” spaces in
designs with further designs, for example, a human face inside a whale fin. In addition to the three
colours of red, white and black typically seen in Northwest Coast Aboriginal art, Kwakwaka’wakw art
may include, although sparingly, for emphasis, green and yellow hues. Generally speaking,
Kwakwaka’wakw art features smaller eyes and smaller features, and more prominently uses ovoids,
and curl designs.
Beau Dick is a Kwakwaka’wakw artist from Alert Bay is who is currently residing in Vancouver and
working at the artist in residence at UBC. He works mainly in carving, making masks and rattles, having
apprenticed under renowned carvers Tony Hunt and Doug Cranmer. He also took part in carving the
World’s Largest Totem Pole, raised in Alert Bay. His print works show great attention to detail,
symmetry, complex patterns and sparing use of colour.
Coast Salish
Coast Salish peoples live in Vancouver, all across the lower mainland and as far south as Oregon state
and include the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, Cowichan, and Sto:lo peoples. Among the Coast Salish
communities there are several distinct languages spoken, many of which are undergoing efforts to
revitalize their use.
Coast Salish art appears more minimalist, with less focus on detail and pattern and more on round
edges and expressive faces. Coast Salish art can generally be recognized by small, round eyes in circular
faces, and simplified human figures.
Susan Point is a Coast Salish artist of Musqueam Nation. Susan is an incredibly prolific artist, with
experience in carving, painting, and weaving. Several of her large carving pieces are in the Vancouver
Airport; two traditional Musqueam welcome figures and a spindle-whorl design called Flight greet
guests approaching international customs. Susan incorporates non-traditional colours into her work,
integrating shades of blue, green and silver, especially into her print works.
Shapes/Elements of Northwest Coast and Coast Salish First Nations Design
Formline
Formline is a contour line that forms the body of the animal or person. It is a continual line that
connects all the areas of the artwork together. It can vary in length and width. It shows relationship
and continuity. The formline connects all the other elements together, and can represent the idea of
living and nonliving things being one. Humans and all other natural parts of the world create a whole
system. The formline is usually black in colour but sometimes is red.
Ovoid
The ovoid is a rounded rectangle shape that looks like a trapezoid with rounded edges. The ovoid is
one of the most popular design elements in Northwest Coast First Nations art. This shape represents
eye sockets, eyes, heads, joints and space fillers.This shape makes up eye sockets, eyes, and heads. The
ovoid represents tension, and is placed inside areas of the image which hold tension, like joints. Ovoids
are sometimes solid, or can be filled with smaller ovoids. Ovoids are widely prominent in
Kwakaka’wakw artworks.
U-Form
The U form is created with two ends of a formline coming together. This is the second -most common
shape found in Northwest Coastal Art. The U-form is in the shape of a U and can be seen in the body of
animals designs. The U-form shape’s ends taper to create sharp points. You might see the U-form in
areas such as feathers, fins and ears. The U-form can vary in thickness and length, to fit the contours of
the shape or figure in the image.
Split-U
The spilt-U is a modified U-form with a split in the middle, and an inner U that is more of a shape of a
V. It is usually found inside a U form to fill in space and create a heavier, deeper shape. This element of
design works in tandem with the U-form, often found in the same places the U-form, such as the
feathers, fins, tails and ears of the art.
Circle
Circles represent unity and centrality. The circle is an element that represents sun, moon and sky. The
circle also is a representation of the circle of life, starting from birth and beginning again after death.
You can find circles in the center of the animal or person and for their eyes.
There are three additional elements of design, the S-form, which makes up half of the split-U, the
crescent, which resembles a crescent moon and may be used to form patterns such as fish gills or bear
claws; and the trigon, which is the inverse of the split-U. These forms, along with variations of the basic
four, are all used by different artists, and have a different meaning and significance to each artist who
uses them.
Colours
Black
Black is the predominant colour in Northwest Coast First Nations and Coast Salish Art. The pigment is
made from charcoal. It is mostly used for the formline.
Red
Before the fur trade, red pigments were made from types of minerals such as ochers and hematite, as
well as oxidized iron. Red is a secondary colour used inside the formline. It is sometimes used as the
primary colour, forming the formline instead of the black. After the Europeans came and started
trading, vermilion, a pigment from China made from the mineral cinnabar, came to be used for red.
White and yellow are also used but not commonly, and may be used for highlights. These colours
might be used for eyes, teeth.
Blue and green were also used in Northwest Coastal art. These colours were created also from
minerals such as oxidized iron. These colours are not as predominant in the, artwork but some artists
used them.
Cedar
Cedar was an important material to the First Nations in B.C. It was used to build houses, forming the
structural lodge poles and decorative house poles in large big houses. Cedar was also woven into
baskets and rugs, and carved into tools such as adze and hammers. Cedar tools were found in
Vancouver which are up to 3000 years old. Decorated storage boxes, and canoes were also made from
cedar. Cedar bark is highly flexible and supple, and can be cut into very thin strips, which could be used
to make clothing.
Cedar poles were also used to carve totem poles. The world’s tallest totem pole was erected in Alert
Bay, B.C. and stands at over 53m tall.