Butterflies
Date1977
Maker
Robert Davidson
First Nations, Haida, born 1946
Label TextRobert Davidson, a highly acclaimed Northwest Coast artist of Haida descent, hails from an illustrious family of artists. Although his earliest exposure was to the carving arts, his work spans a variety of media, both new and traditional. A recognized leader in the revival of Haida art and culture, Davidson has been honored with a number of awards, including the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia
In this work, the dominant colors are red and black, which are closely associated with Haida ancestral traditions. The subject has deep symbolic significance in Haida narrative - butterflies bear messages from the dead. This print utilizes the formline design that is prevalent in much Northwest Coast art. Butterflies was created at a time when Davidson was part of the Northwest Coast Print Guild, the group formed to establish high standards for printmaking from Native and First Nations artists.
Object number2013.19.3
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Hatch
Dimensions12 9/16 x 22 7/16 in. (31.9 x 57 cm)
MediumSilkscreen print
Robert Davidson
Object number: 2024.19.177