Bookwus

Description

‘Bookwus’ by First Nations, Northwest Coast Kwakwaka’wakw artist Mark Henderson presented by DaVic Gallery of Native Canadian Arts.

Condition:       Very Good condition – Two framing tapes remain verso and minor handling marks visible from back mainly.

Description by Artist:     No description by the artist found.

Notes from DaVic Gallery:   Bookwus is a supernatural being who lurks on the edges of forests and near streams trying to lure living people and the souls of those who have drowned into his invisible abode. Also known as the Keeper of Drowned Souls, Bookwus forces his victims to eat his ghost food, which causes them to become like him, condemned to eternal hunger and wandering. Because he lives in the woods on the edge of the spirit world, Bookwus is often depicted in a dishevelled and dirty state.

The blank sheet of letter-size (8.5” x 11”) paper covering part of the image in the last picture is for size reference.