Masks

Masks

For hundreds of years masks have played an important role in the lives of the Native Americans of the Northwest Coast. They signify ancient traditions dating from antiquity to present day. The dramatic, colorful masks of the Northwest Coast are some of the most fascinating artifacts produced by Native Americans.

Mask Making

Although the different tribes throughout the Northwest Coast have different traditions and cultures, there are many techniques and styles which are common to the entire region. Traditionally, a maskmaker is an anonymous artisan, always male and always of high status. The artisans who produced masks were not artisans by profession. They were expected to take part in hunting and fishing responsibilities in addition to their craft. In order to carve a mask, the artisan would normally go into seclusion in order to concentrate fully on the task of carving the mask. Masks are typically carved from red cedar wood. The artisan must take into careful consideration what shrinkage or warping might occur in his work before measuring for a mask. In ancient times, the artisan would have traditionally crafted tools for gouging, shaping, and cutting fine details. However, in the late 18th century, European trade brought superior cutting tools to Native Americans, making masks much easier to produce. This allowed not only a greater number of masks to be made, but also more complex masks with moving parts! Another important feature of mask making is painting. The designs painted on masks of the Northwest coast are traditional forms. Forms painted with black paint are typically to add emphasis to facial features, while other colors are added for decoration. Eyes and eyebrows are usually painted black. The paint t...

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... vital role they played in tribal ceremonies, but they are now considered by many to be art objects of high worth.

1. Northwest Coast Indians Coloring Book 2. Edward Malin, A World of Faces, p. 50

Bibliography

Malin, Edward, A World of Faces: Masks of the Northwest Coast Indians. Timber Press, Portland Oregon, 1978

King, J.C.H., Portrait Masks from the Northwest Coast of America.. Thames and Hudson 1979

Smith, Tom, Northwest Coast Indians Coloring Book.. Troubador Press, New York, 1993

Wyatt, Gary, Spirit Faces: Contemporary Masks of the Northwest Coast. Douglas and McIntyre, Vancouver/Ontario, 1994

Holm, Bill, Northwest Coast Indian Art: An Analysis of Form. University of Washington Press, Seattle and London, 1965

Carlson, Roy L. , Indian Art Traditions of the Northwest Coast. Archaeology Press, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., 1976