The Life of Meares Island
1985
Joe David
First Nations, Nuu-chah-nulth, Clayoquot, born 1946
Joe David was born in the Tla-o-qu-aht village of Meares Island on the west coast of Vancouver Island. This image beautifully synthesizes the natural and spiritual beauty of his homeland, a mountainous island protected by the mythic Thunderbird, Wolf, Lightning Serpent, and Whale. In 1993, in one of the largest acts of civil disobedience in Canada, hundreds of First Nations and other supporters blockaded efforts to clear-cut the island’s old-growth cedar forests. One of the protestors, David created prints and a monumental carved Cedar Man figure, brought to Victoria’s parliament building, to raise awareness and funds for the cause.
Silkscreen
20 x 26 in. (50.8 x 66 cm)
Gift of R. Bruce and Mary-Louise Colwell
2018.29.17
Provenance: [Pacific Editions Limited, Victoria, British Columbia]; purchased from gallery by Bruce and Mary-Louise Colwell, Seattle, Washington, Mar. 10, 2000; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2018
