Totem Poles as a Spiritual Form of Ethnic Art
Totem Poles as a Spiritual Form of Ethnic Art
A totem pole is a spiritual for1m of cultural art, capable of transcending its traditional uses and forms and addressing the current social and political concerns of the artist. For hundreds of years the totem pole has played an important cultural, spiritual, and religious role in the Native American nations of the Pacific Northwest. Totem poles carver Jewell Praying Wolf James creates totem poles within his native cultural setting and incorporates many traditional designs. Yet, James recently related his artwork to topics of national (American) concern when he created three pole project constructions to memorialize the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The artist incorporated numerous features of tradition in his design, but also made project choices that reflected his individual spiritual concerns and the desires and wishes of many other Native Americans. I find James’ efforts inspiring, in that he is able to relate his cultural heritage with his national heritage. Also, his ability to create a piece of art that inspires such solidarity within the Native American culture and other cultures is impressive.
Ethnic art is the product of an individual embracing their culture and heritage, or reacting to it in a way that reflects their individualism and position in the world. In looking for an example of multicultural art, I was taken with a Native American artist who recently used his traditional art to express feelings, hopes, and wishes that were common to many people around the globe. Jewell Praying Wolf James chose to embrace both his Lummi Native American heritage and his national (American) heritage when he undertook a challenging three-part project to remember the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Though no tribal members or relations of James’ were victims of the attack, James felt connected and reacted to the pain that he, like many people, felt for the victims and their
A totem pole is a spiritual for1m of cultural art, capable of transcending its traditional uses and forms and addressing the current social and political concerns of the artist. For hundreds of years the totem pole has played an important cultural, spiritual, and religious role in the Native American nations of the Pacific Northwest. Totem poles carver Jewell Praying Wolf James creates totem poles within his native cultural setting and incorporates many traditional designs. Yet, James recently related his artwork to topics of national (American) concern when he created three pole project constructions to memorialize the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The artist incorporated numerous features of tradition in his design, but also made project choices that reflected his individual spiritual concerns and the desires and wishes of many other Native Americans. I find James’ efforts inspiring, in that he is able to relate his cultural heritage with his national heritage. Also, his ability to create a piece of art that inspires such solidarity within the Native American culture and other cultures is impressive.
Ethnic art is the product of an individual embracing their culture and heritage, or reacting to it in a way that reflects their individualism and position in the world. In looking for an example of multicultural art, I was taken with a Native American artist who recently used his traditional art to express feelings, hopes, and wishes that were common to many people around the globe. Jewell Praying Wolf James chose to embrace both his Lummi Native American heritage and his national (American) heritage when he undertook a challenging three-part project to remember the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Though no tribal members or relations of James’ were victims of the attack, James felt connected and reacted to the pain that he, like many people, felt for the victims and their
Cited: Briggs, Kara. “Healing Gifts to Nation.” One Sky Center website. 3 September 2004. 26 March 2006 . James, Jewell. “The Lummi Healing Poles.” 23 October 2004. 27 March 2006 . James, Jewell Praying Wolf and Cooper, Kenneth. Interview with Kari Berger. “The Native Americans’ Age-Old Spiritual Ties with Nature Endure.” Earth & Spirit 24 (1990): 50. 26 March 2006 . Lippard, Lucy. Mixed Blessings: New Art in a Multicultural America. New York: New Press, 2000. Malin, Edward. Totem Poles of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Portland, OR: Timber Press, 1986.