DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42067#0182
158
Style
imagination. Perhaps the artists have greater eidetic power than most
adults among ourselves. The few individuals who create new forms
in this manner have probably a good control over the technique and
wide command over a multitude of current forms. In the one case
which has been investigated with some care by James Teit the woman
who created new basketry patterns was also one of the best tech-
nicians and had full command over the greatest variety of forms.
When the patterns made by individual artists are compared, it is
seen that the number of designs made by different individuals differs
very considerably. Some have command of the full range of forms,
while others are satisfied with a small number which they repeat
over and over again.
The controlling power of a strong, traditional style is surprising.
The Northwest coast people have characteristic methods of repre-
senting heads, eyes, eyebrows and joints; fig. 67 (p. 71) shows the
attempt of an excellent Haida artist who tried to illustrate the tale
of an eagle who carried away a woman.
The general form of the eagle is quite realistic, but the artist
could not avoid placing the characteristic eye design in the wing
joint of the eagle, and to render the head in the conventional style
in which the eagle is shown. The woman whom the eagle carries
has the typical eyebrow and cheek patterns. The style has pene-
trated the picture which was planned as a realistic representation.
Similar observations may be made in regard to the Wasgo, the
fabulous sea monster with a wolf’s body and large ears. In fig.
134 it is shown carrying a whale between its ears, another one in
its tail, and a person in the mouth. It has the characteristic high
nose of the wolf, the ears turned back (here shown as transparent).
The large shoulder and hip joints and the hands and feet in form
of eyes are features of Northwest coast art. The whale with its
round eyes, blowhole, and characteristic tail conforms also to the
local art style. Still the artist attempted to give a realistic painting.
Quite analagous is another painting by the same Haida artist,
Charles Edensaw (fig. 135) who tried to illustrate for me a Haida
Style
imagination. Perhaps the artists have greater eidetic power than most
adults among ourselves. The few individuals who create new forms
in this manner have probably a good control over the technique and
wide command over a multitude of current forms. In the one case
which has been investigated with some care by James Teit the woman
who created new basketry patterns was also one of the best tech-
nicians and had full command over the greatest variety of forms.
When the patterns made by individual artists are compared, it is
seen that the number of designs made by different individuals differs
very considerably. Some have command of the full range of forms,
while others are satisfied with a small number which they repeat
over and over again.
The controlling power of a strong, traditional style is surprising.
The Northwest coast people have characteristic methods of repre-
senting heads, eyes, eyebrows and joints; fig. 67 (p. 71) shows the
attempt of an excellent Haida artist who tried to illustrate the tale
of an eagle who carried away a woman.
The general form of the eagle is quite realistic, but the artist
could not avoid placing the characteristic eye design in the wing
joint of the eagle, and to render the head in the conventional style
in which the eagle is shown. The woman whom the eagle carries
has the typical eyebrow and cheek patterns. The style has pene-
trated the picture which was planned as a realistic representation.
Similar observations may be made in regard to the Wasgo, the
fabulous sea monster with a wolf’s body and large ears. In fig.
134 it is shown carrying a whale between its ears, another one in
its tail, and a person in the mouth. It has the characteristic high
nose of the wolf, the ears turned back (here shown as transparent).
The large shoulder and hip joints and the hands and feet in form
of eyes are features of Northwest coast art. The whale with its
round eyes, blowhole, and characteristic tail conforms also to the
local art style. Still the artist attempted to give a realistic painting.
Quite analagous is another painting by the same Haida artist,
Charles Edensaw (fig. 135) who tried to illustrate for me a Haida