CHIEFLY CHALLENGE

Giclée print in archival inks on acid and lignin-free paper

Original painting in acrylic on board, collection of John Price

Ravens are an important part of the natural scene on the Northwest Coast, and figure prominently in the mythologies, art, and ritual of all the Native people of the coast.  They are frequently represented in sculpture, and here, as the uppermost figure of an old carved mortuary monument, the mythical bird in weathered cedar is silhouetted against the gray sky and distant mountains of the Kwakwaka’wakw country.  His sly look suggests the character of the Raven of mythology. 

A raven of nature has taken advantage of the weathered perch as a soap-box from which to express his annoyance at some unseen subject.  Ravens have large vocabularies, and the Kwakwaka’wakw, along with other Northwest Coast Native people, believed that certain individuals had the ability to understand their speech.  The aggressive posture of this raven, with feathers fluffed out, especially those of his head and throat, proves that he claims authority, and his loud cries are a challenge to whoever might question it.