Northwest Coast Art: Guide to Crests, Beings, and Symbols

Understanding Northwest Coast Art provides a convenient dictionary-style guide for identifying and comprehending symbols, crests, and beings depicted in Native American artworks from the Northwest Coast, including totem poles, masks, and prints. The book's first section presents an alphabetical list of relevant words, along with definitions, descriptions, and explanations, as well as synopses of associated myths. To aid in recognition and comprehension, many of the symbols, beings, and crests are showcased in 70 reproductions of contemporary artworks and archival photos. The entries encompass a diverse array of topics, ranging from crests like Eagle, Dogfish, and Dragonfly, to ancestral beings such as Creek Woman and Thunderbird, to mythic figures like Raven and Cedar Man, and to supernatural entities like Death-Bringer.

In addition to these entries, Understanding Northwest Coast Art also offers concise descriptions of design conventions, design elements, and various art styles specific to different cultural groups from the Northwest Coast. The book also delves into the connections between art, myth, and ceremony within this cultural context. With its simple layout and straightforward language, this volume serves as an invaluable resource for grasping the underlying themes and subjects of Northwest Coast Native American art.

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