Artist Statement: Artist's Statement
This contemporary Coast Salish design depicts four salmon faces in a square. Each face shares the same sacRED, circular middle eye, giving the four salmon a common vision. As a contemporary Coast Salish artist, I am always conscious of the fact that many Modern artists drew influences from indigenous art forms. Picasso once proclaimed that in order to "appreciate" indigenous art forms and draw influences from them, an artist need only look at such works in order to "appreciate" such art traditions for their mere form, without understanding its intended ritual conTEXT. Keeping this in mind, I have attempted to study and have some understanding of some Modern art forms in order to draw influences from them. With an attitude of paternity, some art critics would consider a native artist who draws influences from Modern art without fully understanding it "naive art," which creates an unfair double standard between Modern and indigenous artists.
this is not naive art
this is "native" art
--lessLIE
Northwest Coast (Coast Salish)
acrylic on canvas
20" X 20"
View artist biography and more artworks.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |