Bear Mother and Her Husband: Gold Framed Art Card

Bill Reid, Haida

CAD $35.00

The Bear Mother legend is an epic in which a Haida woman, while picking berries, was kidnapped by some beads who held her captive in their village until, impressed by her aristocratic appearance and demeanor, accepted her as the wife of a ranking prince. From this union, twin half-human half-bear cubs were born. One day the sound of hunting dogs was heard and it was deducted that they belonged to the woman's brothers who were trying to rescue her. Realizing that only thorough his sacrifice could the bear clan be established among the Haidas, the Bear father agreed to emerge from his cave and allow himself to be killed in a ceremonial duel, thus permitting his wife and children to return to human habitation. "The greatest of all the sagas of the Northwest Coast people is the tragic, noble tale of Bear Mother and the founding of the Bear family of the Raven side of the clan grouping of the Haida." - Bill Reid

Building upon the broad range of his expression, Bill Reid translated his original designs of animal crests into limited edition Serigraph, Lithograph, Woodcut prints and drawings.

This is a reproduction of one of those limited edition Serigraphs.

Gold Series: Cream, Double Matted Framed Art Card (Matte: 2 3/4")

Black Frame: 12"w x 14 1/2"h x 7/8"d (30cm x 36.5cm x 2.2cm)

Printed and made in Canada.

This beautiful framed art card comes framed, includes a biography that is attached to the back and is ready to hang.

*Please note: While every effort will be made to ship this item without damage, there is always a risk in shipping glass.

*These are also available in a matted version: The matted art cards are lightweight, easy to ship and ready to frame.

BILL REID (HAIDA) Close

Bill Reid (1920-1998) was an acclaimed master goldsmith, carver, sculptor, writer, broadcaster, mentor and community activist. Reid was born in Victoria, BC to a Haida mother and an American father with Scottish German roots, and only began exploring his Haida roots at the age of 23. This journey of discovery lasted a lifetime and shaped Reid's artistic career.

Reid became a pivotal force in building bridges between Indigenous people and other peoples. Through his mother, he was a member of the Raven clan from T'aanuu with the wolf as one of his family crests. Raven is known as a mischievous trickster, who also plays an important part in transforming the world. Many of these traits matched Bill Reid's personality. In 1986, Reid was presented with the Haida name Yaahl Sgwansung, meaning The Only Raven.