This is a Tlingit art carving by Odin Lonning. Traditional Tlingit art is composed of 3 colors, usually red, blue, and black. In most cases it is abstract and represents the different families in the Tlingit tribe. The Tlingit Indians are a matriarchal society and associate each family with an animal. In this particular carving a man from the Raven clan or house married a woman from the Eagle clan/house. The carving is a circular shape to represent unity. I understand the artist's message from this carving because I have studied Tlingit art before and have many friends who are from this tribe. I however, was surprised that the carving was not symmetrical on both sides because most Tlingit art is and that the Raven(husband) is carved above the Eagle(wife). This shows dominance which is rare for a Tlingit artist to do because they are matriarchal.
Friday, February 6, 2015
Week 1
This is a Tlingit art carving by Odin Lonning. Traditional Tlingit art is composed of 3 colors, usually red, blue, and black. In most cases it is abstract and represents the different families in the Tlingit tribe. The Tlingit Indians are a matriarchal society and associate each family with an animal. In this particular carving a man from the Raven clan or house married a woman from the Eagle clan/house. The carving is a circular shape to represent unity. I understand the artist's message from this carving because I have studied Tlingit art before and have many friends who are from this tribe. I however, was surprised that the carving was not symmetrical on both sides because most Tlingit art is and that the Raven(husband) is carved above the Eagle(wife). This shows dominance which is rare for a Tlingit artist to do because they are matriarchal.
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this is so cool! i studied this on my Cultural Anthropology class in College and to be able to see it is awesome!! i loved it!
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