American Indians Of The Pacific Northwest - Bella Coola

by Lyle Tayson

Title

American Indians Of The Pacific Northwest - Bella Coola

Artist

Lyle Tayson

Medium

Painting - Watercolor On Watercolor Paper

Description

In the dead of winter, they would meet as members of secret societies. Some were healing societies, some conjuring societies, some war societies, and some societies for inducting youths or new members. First, initiates were induced into trance-like states for communion with the spirits. Then, by the light of slow-burning fires, the dances would begin. Bella Coola ceremonial masks were among the most dramatic, and often terrifying, of any of the tribes of the Northwest Coast.Although they were nearly always human-like, they were usually large with heavy, fleshy surfaces. The faces bore thick eyebrows and ponderous jowls as enlarged, staring eyes seemed thrust forward from their sockets above thick, full lips. The mouths were frequently ajar, as if arrested in sudden surprise, and tension was built into the expression. Many masks featured complex appendages, moveable parts and faces within faces. Others gyrated, rotated or popped up from secret places within another mask. Thus, the dancers wearing these masks could often tell a whole story just by their proper operation. The Bella Coola had a custom of burning their masks following tribal ceremonies, providing incentive for carvers to create anew the masks needed for each year's dances. Sadly, between 1860 and1900, whole regions became ravaged by disease and the Bella Coola and their remarkable art forms almost disappeared.

Please note the "Fine Art America" watermark will not appear on the painting or any print reproduction.

Artwork Copyright © 1980 Wind River Studios Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the Copyright. WRSH Stock Number XB05942

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April 11th, 2022

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