Understanding Northwest Coast Art: A Guide to Crests, Beings and Symbols by Cheryl Shearar SOLD OUT/Please locate another source to purchase

Understanding Northwest Coast Art introduces the reader to the powerful and striking artworks produced by the Native cultures of the Northwest Coast, featuring:

• A handy, dictionary-style reference guide to the symbols, crests and beings depicted in works of art such as totem poles, masks, prints, basketry and weaving. The entries cover a wide range of topics such as argillite, button blankets, Coppers, Crooked-Beak, [Tsonoqua] (Wild Woman of the Woods), [Komokwa] (chief of the undersea world), Moon, the potlatch, Raven, Thunderbird and the Winter Ceremony
• Brief descriptions of design conventions, design elements and the different art styles of the Northwest Coast cultural groups
• An explanation of the interconnections between art, myth and ceremony in the life of the culture
• 65 B&W reproductions of contemporary artworks, archival photos and design elements to aid identification of subjects and themes