Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast by Hilary Stewart

Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast by Hilary Stewart

Bold, inventive indigenous art of the Northwest Coast is distinguished by its sophistication and complexity. It is also composed of basically simple elements which, guided by a rich mythology, create images of striking power.

In Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast, the elements of style are introduced; the myths and legends which shape the motifs are interpreted; the stylistic differences between the major cultural groupings are defined and illustrated. Raven, Thunderbird, Killer Whale, Bear: all the traditional forms are here, deftly analyzed by a professional writer and artist who has a deep understanding of this powerful culture.

Hilary Stewart (1924-2014), a critically renowned and award-winning writer and expert on northwest First Nations art and culture, passed away in 2014. She wrote eight books, including Cedar: Tree of Life to the Northwest Coast Tribes and Looking at Totem Poles, which remains a regular bestseller. She was a resident of British Columbia's Quadra Island.