The Native people of the Pacific Northwest are well-known for their beautiful basketry. A special residency program at the Museum of Glass( MOG) in Tacoma, Washington, allowed traditional artists to explore the medium of Studio Glass. A special exhibit at MOG, entitled Transitions: An Exploration of Glass by Northwest Native Carvers and Weavers, featured the works of some of these American Indian artists.
The Museum of Glass is shown above.
According to the Museum display:
“Ancestors of the Salish Sea region continue to inspire and inform the next generations of artistic leaders and culture bearers. Translations represents a dialogue between familial generations, and continuing conversations about the evolution of indigenous art.”
In 2015, Native artists were invited to explore glass in a residency at MOG with expert glassblowers Dan and Raya Friday (Lummi). Among the artists included in this special residency whose works were displayed in Transitions, was HoWaNeetzl, known in English as Ho-Wan-Ut “Halia” Old Peter (Chehalis/Skokomish, born 1986).
According to the Museum display:
“As a traditional Puget Salish basketry weaver and teacher, Ho-Wan-Ut “Halia” Old Peter has devoted over twenty years to the art of basketry. Old Peter specializes in cedar and beargrass baskets with a heavy focus on patterns and contrasting colors. Old Peter is committed to teaching and preserving basketry for her family and tribal members.”
Shown above is Chehalis Longhouse (2015). This is blown glass.
Shown above is Arrows (2015). This is blown glass.
Shown above is Skokomish Wealth Basket (2015). This is red cedar and bear grass.
Shown above is Chehalis Diamond (2015). This is blown glass.
Shown above is Thunderbird (2015). This is blown glass.
Shown above is Thunderbird Basket (2015). This is blown glass.
Shown above is Traditional Storage Basket (circa 2018). This is red cedar and bear grass.
Another view of Traditional Storage Basket.
Shown above is Clam Basket (2015). This is blown glass.
Shown above is Seagrass (2015). This is blown glass.
Shown above is Old-Style Storage Basket (2018). This is red cedar.
Shown above is Misty Morning (2018). This is blown glass.
Shown above is Artifact Basket (2018). This is blown glass with copper.
Shown above is Step Pattern Basket (2018). This is blown glass.
Shown above is Traditional Wealth (2018). This is made from cedar, wool, plastic, and abalone and mother of pearl buttons.
Show above is Cedar and Beargrass (2018). This is blown glass.
Indians 101
Twice each week Indians 101 explores various topics relating to American Indian arts, crafts, histories, biographies, and current concerns. More from this series:
Indians 101: Some Inuit Carvings (Art Diary)
Indians 101: Plateau Indian Cradleboards (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Women, Tradition, and Plateau Indian Art (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Three Plateau Women Artists (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Exploring Glass Art by Native Artists (Art Diary)
Indians 101: Glass Art by Northwest Native Carvers and Weavers (Art Diary)
Indians 101: Changing Federal Indian Policies Through the Indian Reorganization Act
Indians 101: Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, Writer, Musician, and Activist
