Top
To the first peoples of the Pacific Northwest, ceremonial masks are a celebration of life, a symbolic connection between worldly existence and the cosmos. The supernatural becomes visible, ancestral generations are reunited. Coaxing images of the earthly and spiritual worlds from the sleeping wood, carvers create profoundly striking representations of their cultures and of themselves as individuals. The eagle, whale and wolf; moon, sun and sea; an ancestor -- all are worthy subjects for the carver's imagination and skill. Each of these 12 masks is an indisputable testament to its carver's singular talent. Together, with archival photos from the collection of the American Museum of Natural History, they are a stunning celebration of the rich spirit and history of Pacific Northwest cultures.
