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Sah Sin

1979

First Nations, Nuu-chah-nulth, Ditidaht, 1948 - 2003

Even though many types of birds hold high positions in First Nations identity—as crests, wealth-bringers, protectors, and spirit guides—sometimes artists only want to reflect on the pure delight of living side-by-side with avian species. Sah Sin is the Nuu-chah-nulth term for hummingbird, and this print originates in a pleasant childhood memory of observing a hummingbird dance at a potlatch in Ahousat, Canada. The head of the red flower takes on the shape of the Lightning Snake, an important supernatural being associated with Thunderbird.

Silkscreen

26 x 20 in. (66 x 50.8 cm)

Gift of R. Bruce and Mary-Louise Colwell

2018.29.150

Provenance: [Pacific Editions Limited, Victoria, British Columbia]; purchased by Bruce and Mary-Louise Colwell, Seattle, Washington, Mar. 11, 2002

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Avian Avatars: Birds in Northwest Coast Prints from the Colwell Collection, Dec. 15, 2021 - June 12, 2022.

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

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