Seahawks

Giclée

Edition 12

Released January 2016
SOLD OUT

In the mid 1980’s, I became a Seattle Seahawks fan. Being the closest NFL team to my hometown, it seemed like it would be a good match. Truth be told, I think I was just as drawn to the logo on the sides of the helmets as I was to their geographic location. It was pretty evident that this logo was inspired by Northwest Coast art, but I don’t recall anyone ever speculating on its origins back then.

With interest in the team growing to record heights the year before last, Robin Wright, curator of Native American art at the Burke Museum started to inquire about the logo’s history. Professor Emeritus Bill Holm pulled out Robert Bruce Inveriarty’s 1950 publication “Art of the Northwest Coast Indians” and flipped to a page bearing the profile view of a Kwakwaka’wakw transformation mask. On seeing this, it was readily apparent that the mask inspired the creation of the logo.

Seeing this on Facebook got me very excited. I thought back to all those times looking at the logo—drawn to it. The fact that an object from our culture most definitely formed the basis of the original logo made me almost feel proud. It also brought up a lot of questions, too. Questions around appropriation and territorial recognition. Like our brothers and sisters to the south, I thought it was important to go a step further and create my own rendition: one created by a Kwakwaka’wakw-Salish artist and inspired by a Kwakwaka’wakw mask on southern Salish lands.

The Burke Museum ultimately found out where the mask ended up and was able to make arrangements to borrow it for a short period of time. During the unveiling, I was asked to come down and speak on its behalf. Instead of just speaking on the mask, I thought it was integral that we sing and dance for it to let it “hear” our songs once again. So we did. In all likelihood, I was the first Kwakwaka’wakw to dance around the Vince Lombardi trophy…. This is my second print in the series.

“Seahawks” is a limited edition print using the giclée method of printmaking. This print was released in January of 2016 and printed by Andy Everson at Copper Canoe, the artist’s own studio in Comox B.C. A total of 24 prints bear the title "Seahawks” and are signed by Andy Everson: 12 in the primary edition bearing the numbers 1/12 through 12/12; 4 Artist’s Proofs; 4 Remarques and 4 Printer’s Proofs. The acid-free Moab Entrada 100% cotton rag paper measures 17 x 22 inches. Image size measures about 14 x 19.5 inches.