What defines a sculpture?
Pablo Picasso, “Still Life”, 1914. Relief sculpture.
Pablo Picasso, “Three Musicians”, 1921. Oil on canvas.
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
What defines a sculpture?
Pablo Picasso, “Still Life”, 1914. Relief sculpture.
Pablo Picasso, “Three Musicians”, 1921. Oil on canvas.
• Three dimensional (can view from different angles)
• Lighting is key element in sculpture to definition of form.
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Bas-relief
• Involves carving into and
removing the background to
define the figure
• Can be seen from front and
sides (A sculpture that is
seen from all sides is called
Freestanding.)
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Examples of bas-relief: Note the deeper areas carved needed to define the subject.
Can you think of an object you encounter
on a regular basis that is bas-relief?
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Can you think of an object you encounter
on a regular basis that is bas-relief?
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Totem Poles in the Pacific NW
 Totem poles are an ancient tradition of the Indian
tribes of the Pacific Northwest Coast--Washington
state in the USA, British Columbia in Canada--and
some tribes of southern Alaska.
 Today, both short and tall totem poles are still made by
Northwestern and Alaskan Indian artists, and they can
be purchased--for a price. This is probably the single
most expensive native art form there is, given the cost
of a full-grown cedar tree and the amount of handcarving and painting required to turn it into a totem
pole.
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
 The meanings of the designs are varied: recount
familiar legends, clan lineages, or notable events.
Some poles celebrate cultural beliefs, but others are
mostly artistic presentations.
 The vertical order of images is widely believed to be a
significant representation of importance. This idea is
so pervasive that it has entered into common parlance
with the phrase "low man on the totem pole."
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Examples of Totem Poles
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Art Smart Lesson: Totem poles
Name: ________________________
Please bring completed sketches with you to next Art Smart class, Tues, March 27th.
Sketches need to fit within the box as this is the size of plaster block we will be carving.
You may choose from
the following:
• Beaver
• Wolf
• Bear
• Eagle/Thunderbird
• Raven
• People
• Sun/Sun God
• Frog
• Whale/Orca
• Octopus/Devilfish
•
•
Keep your sketch simple (line drawing) as we will transfer it to the
block and then carve it.
Try to fill as much of the square as you can with your drawing.
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Example of type of sketch needed (simple line drawing) and tools we will be using.
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Beaver:
 Their upturned tails are a symbol of wealth. Creative,
artistic and determined creature who can construct
fine arrows . Beavers are also vengeful creatures who
hate humans. Never say anything bad about the
beaver.
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Wolf:
 Intelligence, leadership. Wolves are able to heal
human sickness but this healing is costly so they
generally avoid human contact.
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Bear:
 Bears must not be insulted or cursed. Similar in
appearance to wolves but with large nostrils and paws,
sharp fangs, high forehead and frequently a protruding
tongue. Ferocity, strength, humility, motherhood,
teaching.
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Eagle/Thunderbird:
 Great strength, courage leadership and prestige.
Signifies peace and friendship. Represents power and
mystery. Always at the top of a totem pole.
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Raven:
 Spiritual attributes knowledge and a bringer of light. According
to lore, the raven stole the light from an old chief when the world
was dark, therefore it is frequently shown holding an orb in its
large, protruding beak. An important symbol, the raven common
in totem pole carvings. The raven can transform into other
forms, is a trickster, always hungry, curious, devious, and
corrupt. It always gets into trouble but because it is so likeable it
can easily get out of trouble. The raven is easily identified by a
straight beak.
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
People:
 Totem pole carvings tell the stories of the people who
own the totem pole. Individuals can be family
members, chiefs, wives, children, etc. People play a
primary part in totem pole stories and creation. Totem
poles tell the life stories and history of the people who
own the poles.
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Sun or Sun God:
 Spiritual attributes include healing energy. The Sun
God is considered to be the guardian of the Earth by
day and is portrayed is portrayed as a big circle with
rays emanating form a face with a big hooked nose.
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Frog:
 Spiritual attributes include spring, new life,
communicator and stability. The frog is a
misunderstood and underestimated creature but also a
symbol of wealth. Never insult a frog.
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Whale or Orca:
 Spiritual attributes include goodness and having the ability
to share the wisdom of the ages. Whales are rulers of the
Underwater Realm where they live with other noble
supernatural beings. Some whales can turn into wolves
and walk on land. Killer Whale - Whales are honored as
strong and brave fish. The mythology of the killer whale is
that is will bring food and assistance to a chief or other
important person lying helpless and/or wounded

Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).
Octopus or Devilfish:
 Feared for its ability to grab people and drag them
underwater. Attributes include bird like head, hooked
beak, suction plates and tentacles.
Prepared by C. Musser (www.merrikindesigns.com).