May 4 - 24, 2013
Mythology is a collection of cultural stories that describe the world and the role that humanity plays in it. It makes intangible concepts like creation and destruction understandable and relatable. These ancient stories establish customs, rituals and social structures, and weave them into our lives. Mythology creates culture. For thousands of years, the people of remote Haida Gwaii have been telling the stories of the rugged natural world they live in. They have discovered the origin of Mankind, the source of Water and the reason for Wind. For two centuries, Haida artists have captured the myths and stories of their culture in a rare and beautiful material known as ŧGal ŧGal, or simply “black rock.” Known today as Argillite, this unusual form of slate has a highly complex structure that is unique in the world. Formed over many millions of years in volcanic vents and shallow seas, Haida Gwaii Argillite was created out of largely organic matter under great pressure. It is found in a single known quarry in the world and belongs exclusively to the Haida Nation. The Steinbrueck Gallery is honored to welcome the celebrated Haida artist Lionel Samuels in his first solo exhibition in Seattle. Lionel was born into the Yahgu’laanaas Clan in 1963 and has been exhibiting his traditional carvings since the early 1980’s. A Master Carver long known for his large and detailed work, Lionel has always created classic Haida sculptures like bowls, boxes and model poles. For this show, he has spent the past year reflecting on the meaning of Change and Growth. The resulting works are breathtaking expressions of the evolution and transitory nature of mythology. The beauty and mystery of Argillite seems perfectly suited to express the depth, meaning and history of the Haida mythological culture. Perhaps it is a gift that Raven granted to the people of Haida Gwaii, a material that allows Lionel to connect with his ancestors, with nature and with the world around him.
The Box of Daylight
Raven and His Human Mother
with catlinite, abalone 13” x 9” x 5” 01
Eagle Chief’s
Sacred Pipe
with abalone, bone 3 ¼” x 5” x 2 ½”
Wealth
Beaver Potlatch Pole 6” x 2” x 2”
02
The Return
Salmon Jumping
8 ½” x 2 ¼” x 3 ½”
03
Honoring our Elders Bear Bowl
5 ½” x 2 ½” x 2”
Thunderbird “…Raven played a trick on the Blind Halibut Fisherman. He dove into the sea and stole the bait off the hook. The Fisherman gave a jerk so hard that it pulled Raven’s beak right off!”
5” x 3” x 2 ½” 04
Gift for the Feast
Halibut Hook
with ivory 6” x 1” x 6” 05
Chief of All Water, from the Mountains to the Oceans
Wasgo the Sea Wolf
with bone, catlinite, abalone, ivory 10” x 13” x 5 ½” 06
“...when hunger came to the village, the Wolf swam out to sea to catch Whales for people to eat. One day, a great fog rolled in and the Wolf could no longer find its way to shore and it became Wasgo, the Great Sea Wolf and Whale Hunter.�
07
A Delicacy
Oolichan Oil SealBowl
3” x 6” x 3”
Family Connection Wolf
5 ¼” x 2” x 2 ¼” 08
Skaana the Hunter
Orca Chief’s Frontlet
with abalone, quills 13” x 8” x 2 ½” 09
“..the whole island was now covered by the sea and the survivors were all drifting away. They eventually landed on mountain peaks here and there. The Great Clans all grew out of this dispersion.” Feasting in Unity
The Haida Clans
with abalone 13” x 10 ¾” x 4” 10
Transforming Through Worlds Diving Orca and Human
with abalone, ivory 10” x 6” x 3” 11
Bringer of News Frog Sculpture
with abalone 5” x 2” x 3”
9” x 11” x 4 ½” 12
Raven Chief’s
Sacred Pipe
Chief of the Sky
Eagle on the Mountain Top
“…beating his powerful wings, Raven burst through the smoke-hole and escaped into the darkness with his stolen treasure. And that is how light came into the universe.”
with abalone, ivory 9 ¾” x 3 ½” x 4”
Raven and the First Men
The Story of Creation
with catlinite, abalone, ivory 10” x 6” x 5”
www.SteinbrueckNativeGallery.com ©04.2013