Pacific Northwest Art - Vintage First Nations Silkscreen Print Signed TAIT

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Vintage item
A handsome silkscreen print on Arches paper, this First Nations artwork was done by Norman Tait (1941-2016), a member of the Nisga’a people in northwest Canada. One of the foremost First Nations artists from British Columbia, he began his art studies with the eminent Haida artist Freda Diesing in 1976. Tait’s Native name was Enah-ahg-lagh, which means Bear with No Hair on One Side. He worked in several media: printmaking, wood and metal. He signed this artwork "TAIT" in pencil at lower right.
This original print depicts a Nisga’a ceremonial dancer/musician wearing a painted mask and a headdress adorned with bear claws in honor of Norman Tait's Native name. He is shaking a carved rattle in his right hand and holding a pair of feathers in his left; his dance apron displays Haida symbols. Since Tait's father was Chief Joseph Tait---and the ceremonial accessories of chiefs are aprons, rattles and headdresses---this may be a stylized representation of him. The figure was done in formline, the characteristic technique of Northwest Native art, with its continuous flowing lines. It was printed in shades of grey and black against the natural color of the Arches paper; the paper color is most accurate in the first and last photos since the lighting washes it out to a greyish-white in the other photos. The 2 3/4 inch wide black mat has an interesting, striated texture similar to watered silk. The 1/2 inch wood frame is a rich brown with a subtle grain. Overall, the piece measures 12 3/4 inches by 16 3/4 inches and weighs 2 pounds 3 ounces; sight size is 5 3/4 by 9 3/4 inches. The black dust paper on the reverse is intact and there are also a hanging wire and felt bumpers. The condition of all the components is excellent and it is a desirable print by a prominent indigenous Canadian artist.
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PYH 5088