While studying the work of photographer Edward Curtis, I was inspired to produce a piece in both marble and bronze of the native American basket-weavers of the Nootka tribe. The Nootkas were a peaceful tribe residing in the Pacific Northwest, specifically on Vancouver Island. They were known for their crafts, especially baskets woven of reeds. Fishing and basket weaving were their main industries. The Nootkas wore clothes made of cedar bark.
Based on Curtis’s photographs, I have sought to capture the spirit of the Nootka woman, focusing on pattern and texture of her blanket clothing. The marble work centers on the rich colors of the veining in the stone to represent a patterned blanket. Her braided hair, in contrast, is textured with hand chiseling. The bronze version focuses on the cedar bark texture of her clothes and a slightly more realistic representation. Both mediums showcase the industrious nature of the Nootkas and the stoic nature of Native American tribes.