Four Stories: ‘Raven Releases the Light’, ‘Fishing With Bears’, ‘Blackfish’, ‘Eagle Inside’

Description

‘Four Stories’ by Dean Heron – First Nations Northwest Coast Tlingit Art presented by DaVic Gallery of Native Canadian Arts.

The four stories are illustrated by the four corresponding prints, all part of the set:

“Four Stories: Raven Releases the Light”
“Four Stories: Fishing With Bears”
“Four Stories: Blackfish!”
“Four Stories: Eagle Inside”

Condition: no condition noted.

Description by Artist:

Four Stories: Raven Releases the Light
“Ah, Raven, what is he up to now? Always seems to be putting his beak where it doesn’t belong – and this time is no exception. On his back, he carries the Sun in human form, to fling up into the heavens after having stolen it away from the Chief. Here, the Trickster is bathed in the blue light of the very first dawn as he spills the light onto the world.”

Four Stories: Fishing with Bears
“I used to fish for salmon on the Kitimat River as a kid, and, more often than not, in the company of bears. My Dad used to tell me, “Leave them alone, and they will ignore you. They’re fishing just like us.” He was right. I was always amazed as I witnessed them catching salmon so easily; within 5 or 10 minutes, they would lumber back into the woods with a belly full of food. I continue to this day to wish I could gain the Bear’s spirit to successfully catch salmon.”

Four Stories: Blackfish!
“The Tlingit Nation sometimes refers to the killer whale as Blackfish. They feature prominently in the cultures of the Northwest Coast, and, as a result, there are many great stories attributed to them. It was once thought that when a Blackfish overturned canoes, they would take the occupants to their undersea village and transform them into killer whales. And so, when pods of Blackfish swam past villages, it was said to be those who were lost at sea coming to say hello. The face you see within ‘Blackfish!’ is a reminder of those who were lost.”

Four Stories: Eagle Inside
“Eagles have held a special place in my heart as far back as I can remember. I paint them to celebrate family, friends and special occasions. ‘Eagle Inside’ is about seeing the good within us all and unlocking what our inner-selves have to offer. It reminds us we all have special qualities that make us unique. It is there to encourage us all to stay true to ourselves and to share our gifts with those around us.”

Notes from DaVic Gallery:   This unique limited edition print collection by Dean Heron is sold as a set only. This set includes four prints:

1. “Four Stories: Raven Releases the Light”
2. “Four Stories: Fishing With Bears”
3. “Four Stories: Blackfish!”
4. “Four Stories: Eagle Inside”

All four prints in the set are numbered 128 of 250.

These prints were published in February 2004. They were hand produced by the screen-printing process. They are the only limited edition printing of this design. The artist was involved in the printmaking, checking the stencils and signing each copy in the editions: 250 signed and numbered copies of each design, 25 artist’s proofs and 1 printer’s proof. Three Hors de Commerce copies exist and are defaced. All other trial copies as well as the printing stencils have been destroyed.