First Nations “Orca and Human” piece depicts a person riding a leaping Orca whale’s back while gripping the tall dorsal fin with arms and bent knees. A Raven spirit is also present. Pale yellow cedar wood is decorated with red and black paint. Beautifully carved and painted. This piece measures 23 x 10 inches, priced at $725.

The artist (1973-2021)  was a member of the Coast Salish First Nation, originating from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada’s Pacific Northwest Coast. He passed away at a tragically young age. He is terribly missed by his family, by his community, and by collectors of his work all over the world. 

He is part of a large family of well known artists. His pieces are easily recognizable in the very clean and detailed carving, and powerful use of traditional colors.

The killer whale (also known as Orca or Blackfish) is an important medicine animal to the Native American tribes of the Northwest Coast. Killer whales are considered a particular symbol of power and strength, and catching sight of one is considered a momentous omen. Some tribes, such as the Tlingit, view the killer whale as a special protector of humankind and never hunted killer whales (although they were accomplished whale hunters of other species.) The Kwakiutl tribes believed that the souls of marine hunters turned into killer whales upon their death, just as the souls of forest hunters turned into wolves.