Buddhist Native Northwest Bentwood Box Raven Steals the Light

Description

First Nations Heiltsuk artist Ian Reid has been to Asia and he recognized many parallels between Northwest Indigenous mythology and Buddhism when he was there. While Buddha reached Enlightenment to assist humanity with their suffering, Raven discovered the sun and released it into the sky for all humans. While Buddhism states that life energy is transferred after death to other living things as a form of reincarnation, Northwest Coast mythology states that the first beings could transform and take on many forms because all animals are connected. In this red cedar bentwood box, Ian has elegantly fused these two outlooks into what he has titled "
Raven Obtains En-LIGHT-enment
". The box is lined with Buddhist prayer flags, and the outside depicts both Northwest Coast and Buddhist designs. It is an uplifting design and sophisticated concept which demonstrates why Ian is one of the most exciting Aboriginal artists working in Canada today. This box measures 14" x 14" and is signed.
He says about this piece:
"Raven represents the people today and the ancestor we descended from in the beginning. I wanted to combine our stories from the Northwest Coast and Buddhism: instead of Raven obtaining the sun, he obtains enlightenment. The flags show the level of mindfulness he reached, and the sun that gave us so much life."
Ian Reid's crests are Eagle and Killerwhale. He signs his pieces with his Heiltsuk name
Nusi
, meaning "Full Moon." Many of Ian's pieces are inspired by cultural knowledge handed down to him from his elders. His main mentor has been his great aunt, Mary Hunt, one of the last matriarchs of the Heiltsuk Nation. Ian has carved under the guidance of respected Kwakwaka'wakw artist Simon Dick. He has also been dancing since he was young, and often dances with the Gwawina Dancers. In June of 2008, Ian danced at the University of British Columbia's Chan Centre for the Performing Arts to accompany a special screening of Edward Curtis' landmark film
In the Land of the Head Hunters
. Also in 2008, Ian was appointed to be Project Manager for the Waglisla Big House that was constructed between 2008-2009 in Bella Bella, BC. Ian was actively involved in every phase of the project, from the original conception to material selection and construction. In 2009, Ian was one of twenty-three artists included in the
Continuum: Vision and Creativity on the Northwest Coast
exhibition at the Bill Reid Gallery in Vancouver, BC.
"Ian Reid Native", "Buddha Box", "bentwood box", "native american mythology", "prayer box"