Killer Whale

Description

‘Killer Whale’ by Robert Davidson – First Nations Northwest Coast Haida Artist presented by DaVic Gallery of Native Canadian Arts.

Condition:       Excellent condition.   This print is beautifully framed with top quality conservation materials and will shipped framed at buyer’s discretion and at additional cost depending on destination. Cost framed is $7,000.00 CAD

Description by Artist:     No description by artist found.

Notes from DaVic Gallery: “Killer Whale” (serigraph, edition of 63) is a masterclass in Robert Davidson’s evolution from traditional formline into what he calls “The Abstract Edge.” Because 2004 was the year of his major solo exhibition at the UBC Museum of Anthropology, this specific print isn’t just a “depiction”; it’s a statement on the resilience and expansion of Haida culture.

The Architecture of Spirit: Robert Davidson’s 2004 ‘Killer Whale’

In the realm of Haida art, the Killer Whale (Sgaana) is the “Lord of the Ocean”—a being of immense power, community, and transformation. However, in this seminal 2004 work, Robert Davidson (Guud San Glans) moves beyond the literal to explore the very “skeleton” of Haida law and form.

Released during his pivotal Abstract Edge period, this print represents a moment where Davidson—already a master of the tradition—began to strip away the secondary details to reveal the raw tension and release of the Haida “alphabet.” The composition is a precise balance of ovoids and U-shapes that suggest the immense power of the Orca without being confined by a literal silhouette.

Why this piece belongs in a core collection:

• The 2004 Nexus: This print was born in the same year as Davidson’s landmark MOA exhibition, a time when his work shifted toward “Post-Modern Haida” abstraction.

• Rarity: With a limited edition of only 63, this is a significantly tighter run than his earlier 1970s graphics, making it a high-demand secondary market asset.

• Execution: The use of negative space in the 2004 series creates a “visual vibration” that traditional prints lack. It is not just an image of a whale; it is the energy of the whale moving through the deep.