Artwork

Item Description

Framed Bill Holm print of dances in the Big House. Print was signed by Bill in 1992 and is number 72 out of 950 prints. Framed print measures about 3 feet long and 2 feet wide.   

Art information

HAMSAMALA
Giclee print in archival inks on acid- and lignin-free paper 
Original painting in acrylic on canvas    30" x 24"  1992
Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Stott   

The Cannibal Dancer, Hamatsa, has been lured back to his village from the house of his motivating spirit.   There the assembled tribes have partially tamed him, but a phrase in his song has brought back his wildness, and he has dragged his encircling attendants around the floor and out behind the painted curtains at the back of the ceremonial house.  A great beak is heard to snap, and one by one masked dancers—Hamsamala—each accompanied by an attendant, step into the firelight.  The Hamsamala represent the associates of the Man-Eating-Spirit.  They dance upright at the corners of the floor, then drop to jump squatting and turning, finally to sit on the ground, their great beaks swinging and shuddering.  A woman with taming power, shaking a round rattle, sings to calm the wildness of the dancers.  The dancers rise shouting, snap their beaks, and move to the next corners.  When the last Hamsamala has disappeared the Hamatsa reappears and eventually his taming is completed.

The Hamatsa is the most prestigious of the Winter Ceremonial dances of the Kwakwaka’wakw people of the northern Vancouver Island area.  The masks used in the taming of the Hamatsa are among the most flamboyant in all of Northwest Coast  art.  Those seen here are the work of the master artist Willie Seaweed.  The carver is shown standing among the singers, enjoying his works in action.  The setting is the Gwa'yasdam's village Raven House of Chief John Scow, the carved posts of which are now in the Seattle Art Museum.

Item Special Note

Dollie Armstrong made this donation to the auction before she passed away at the end of February. Dollie was a former Nor'wester staff member as well a parent and grandparent to former campers and staff. One of her granddaughters is a current CNW camper.

Please note: Arrangements for delivery will be made between the winning bidder and the Armstrong family. The winning bidder will be responsible for packaging and mailing costs if the print is mailed.