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LOT DETAILS
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     

This session is closed for bidding.
Current bid: $40,000 CAD
Bidding History
Paddle # Date Amount
7562 15-Jun-2021 11:11:43 AM $40,000
823587 14-Jun-2021 09:31:08 PM $37,500
7562 14-Jun-2021 09:29:56 PM $35,000
823587 14-Jun-2021 09:29:00 PM $32,500
7562 14-Jun-2021 09:22:15 PM $30,000
823587 14-Jun-2021 03:40:42 PM $27,500
7562 12-Jun-2021 04:51:22 PM $25,000
823587 12-Jun-2021 02:06:03 PM $22,500
24892 11-Jun-2021 01:36:21 PM $20,000

LOT h010

1955 - 2017
Canadian Indigenous

Killer Whale Mask
carved red cedar sculpture with paint, 2016
signed inside the mask
25 x 25 x 64 in, 63.5 x 63.5 x 162.6 cm

Estimate: $30,000 - $40,000 CAD

Sold for: $49,250

Preview at: Vancouver Art Gallery, 4th Floor

PROVENANCE
Courtesy of Fazakas Gallery, Vancouver

LITERATURE
LaTiesha Fazakas and Laurie White, Beau Dick: Devoured by Consumerism, Fazakas Gallery, 2019, page 14


Kwakwaka’wakw (Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw First Nation) artist and activist Chief Beau Dick or Walas Gwa’yam, was acclaimed as one of the Northwest Coast’s most versatile and talented carvers. He was born in the community of Alert Bay, British Columbia in 1955, and lived in Kingcome Inlet, Vancouver and Victoria before returning to Alert Bay to live and work. He began carving at an early age, studying under his father Benjamin Dick, his grandfather James Dick, and other renowned artists such as Henry Hunt and Doug Cranmer. He also worked alongside master carvers Robert Davidson, Tony Hunt and Bill Reid. His work has been shown in exhibitions around the world, including the 17th Biennale of Sydney, Australia (2010), documenta 14 (2017) and White Columns, New York (2019). He was the recipient of the Jack and Doris Shadbolt Foundation’s VIVA Award (2012) and was artist-in-residence at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Art History, Visual Art and Theory from 2013 to 2017. He died in 2017.

For Dick, masks embodied a powerful connection to culture, knowledge and spirituality spanning across time - as he explains, “This art form is ceremonial art. It comes from ancient times and ancient experiences. It’s given to us as a gift from the creator.” This striking mask represents Killer Whale, an important crest figure on the Northwest Coast. Often featured in shamanic story and crest art, killer whales are an important symbol of family and longevity and are widely recognized as clan ancestors. They are also believed to be the reincarnations of past chiefs; when a chief dies, Killer Whale comes to shore to take their spirit. A prototype for the killer whale in Undersea Kingdom, presented at documenta 14, this mask was danced at carver Alan Hunt’s potlatch in Fort Rupert, British Columbia, in 2016.

Please note: Consignor Hammer Price proceeds of this lot will benefit the Vancouver Art Gallery.

The Buyer is hereby advised to read fully the Terms and Conditions of Business and Catalogue Terms, including the Vancouver Art Gallery Art Auction 2021 | Spring Forward HO2 Sale Notice and Special Terms of Sale, and any Addendum or Erratum specific to the Vancouver Art Gallery Art Auction 2021 | Spring Forward HO2 auction.


All prices are in Canadian Dollars


Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information posted, errors and omissions may occur. All bids are subject to our Terms and Conditions of Business. Bidders must ensure they have satisfied themselves with the condition of the Lot prior to bidding. Condition reports are available upon request.