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OREGON TERRITORY SERIES
"KWAKIUTL CEDAR BARK CAPE"
My people, the Kwakiutl,
have lived in this part of
the world before memory. The
white men call it the Oregon
Territory. We are simple
tribes, living off the land
which was often very wet or
very dry. We saw no need for
clothing, like the white men
with their dirty and smelly
coverings. But when it was
cold, and for our elders'
comfort, we shredded the
bark of the cedar trees, and
our women chewed the fibers
until they were soft and
pliable. The strands were
held together with strips of
raw hide or more bark. This
covering helped with warmth
and dryness.
I am the spirit of those
people, both the ancient
ones and those who live now.
My beads are fish vertebrae,
and remind me of the river's
bounty. But my face is often
hidden from plain sight, and
I mourn for the times past.
Note from the artist: My
first hand knowledge of
cedar bark is nonexistent,
and my chewing techniques
are poor. So I used multiple
strands of wool, cotton, and
linen to mimic the
appearance and color of
cedar bark. The technique of
twining is the same,
however, and holds the cape
together. Brightly colored
strips of leather are added
for some pizzazz. This is
the first to have an actual
face, even though it is
obscured. |
