Kasa - Otter Limited Edition Print

Ḱasa or Sea otters are carnivorous mammals yet are endearing and playful creatures, often referred to as cats of the sea.  Otters have dense fur that allows them to roam the coastal shorelines, where they tend to stay close to kelp beds as they fish and dive for crustaceans on the sea floor. They wrap themselves with kelp, so they don’t float away with the rising and falling tides and have also been seen holding hands to form a sort of raft. These intelligent animals use tools like small rocks to crack open shells and then keep it in a special fold under their arms, sometimes for their entire lives. They were almost hunted to extinction in the 18-19th centuries, but with reintroduction have made a full comeback since the 60’s.  Historically, the Hudson Bay Company established a fort in T’sakis (Fort Rupert) in the traditional territories of Kwakwaka’wakw peoples, where at that time they mutually engaged in the maritime fur trade that created a major shift in the socio-economic development of the First Nations peoples along the coast of BC. Traditionally, the Indigenous peoples of the North Westcoast like the Kwakwaka’wakw, hunted and used otter fur on regalia and was mainly reserved for high-ranking chiefs and their families.  
 
This design is represented in traditional Kwakwaka’wakw style, referring to mid-coast form line designing. Originating from a dream I had, I designed the original image free hand; I penciled and painted directly on a handmade drum that I made for myself and when I was finished, decided to make this into my third limited edition print series. Painting and designing flat images is a relatively new medium for me and is quite enjoyable and meaningful, so it was important for me to create a design and achieve a standard that was as close to what my late uncles were producing at the peak of their careers, making graphic art. They played a major role in my growth as an artist in my youth and their influence is present in every level of my work. The passing of traditional design and knowledge from one generation to the next continues in our family. They too were also taught and influenced by the greatest artists of their time like Henry Speck, Willie Seaweed and Charlie James to name a few; creating a sense of continuity among our nation’s identity through traditional design in all forms of mediums. Nugwa’am ‘Ka’kaSolas, Cheryl Wadhams. Gayutlan lax Maʼa̱mtagila dlu ‘Namgis dlu Mamalilikulla.My traditional and everyday name is ‘Ka’kaSolas and my given name is Cheryl Wadhams. I am a member of the ‘Namgis Nation but traditionally belong to the Maʼa̱mtagila tribe through my gagamp, grandfather and I am connected to the Mamalilikulla tribe through my Ada dlu abas, grandmother and Mom. I have been creating art since my youth. I watched and learned to carve and design from my late uncles Lloyd Wadhams, Don Dawson and Dennis Matilpi. I admire the works of renowned Kwakwaka’wakw artists like Mungo Martin, Willie Seaweed and Ellen Neel. There are of course many others; too many to mention that I admire and that have influenced my carving, line drawing and making of traditional regalia like dance robes, aprons and cedar bark head pieces. As a wife, and mother of two sons, we are all very honoured and privileged to be connected to our potlatch system where we each hold traditional names, dances and positions. It is a lifetime of learning that I humbly respect and have chosen to carry the torch forward for my family and Nation. 

Limited Edition Giclee Print Series out of /250

Artist Proofs: /25 
Printers Proofs: /5 

Moab Rag Coldpress Textured Watercolor Paper 100% Cotton 111 lb. 

2025

Unframed

16” w x 16”l

*Each print it hand signed and numbered by the artist and includes a one page artist statement and biography.