Susan Point 1990 Ltd Ed Silkscreen Snake Lady Signed Native Art

Description

Numbered
35 out of 90
from a sold out print edition, this limited edition serigraph is titled
Snake Lady
. Created by famous and collectible Northwest Coast Native American artist Susan Point, this print measures
17" tall by 17" wide
. It was
created in 1990
and is a classic example of Susan's mastery of Salish symbolism. This print conveys the Snake Lady myth, which existed in southern British Columbia and the Plains of Canada:
There was once a couple well advanced in years. They were powerful and rich in the Native fashion, but they were unhappy because they had no children. This was near the river, on the shore of a small lake. After the woman had gone in vain to all the medicine men and m'téoulin, she heard of an old doctress, or witch, who lived not very far off. And though hope was almost dead, the witch was consulted. She gave the wife some herbs, and bade her steep them in a pot out-of-doors, and then let them boil. When the vessel should dance over the flame, the propitious moment would be at hand. Everything succeeded according to the witch's prediction. A few days after she appeared in the town and visited the couple. The mother, who was a very proud woman, had in advance hung up an Native cradle with very fine ornaments. The old woman was very dirty, poor, and squalid. The proud woman was furious at the visit, which mortified her in every way. She drove the witch away with bitter words, bidding her begone with her rags. The old woman went away muttering, "That woman--too proud--too ugly proud". What she saw was bad for the mother. She took some more herbs from her box and threw them in the fire, crying with a loud voice, "At-o-sis! At-o-sis!" and imitated the motions of a snake. When the proud woman eventually went into labour, she gave birth to two large serpents. They had each a white ring round the neck and red stripes down the sides. As soon as they were born they went rapidly to the lake, and disappeared in its water. They have been seen there, now and then, ever since. This is a legend to teach humility and gratitude.
Although primarily self-taught, Susan Point has received training in wood carving from master carver, John Livingston. She also completed a jewellery course at Vancouver Community College with Jack Leyland. In 1981, she began to study and work in Salish art, especially with jewellery and small sculptures. Susan has been a part of numerous group and solo exhibitions. In 2009, her work was featured in ‘Challenging Traditions: Contemporary First Nations Art of the Northwest Coast’, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg, ON. In 2010, her work was exhibited in ‘Visions of British Columbia: A Landscape Manual’, Vancouver Art Gallery, BC; Coast Salish Nation Carving Gallery, British Columbia; and Pavillion, Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, Vancouver, BC. In 1986, she exhibited 'New Visions: Serigraphs by Susan Point, Coast Salish Artist' which was organized by the Museum of Anthropology, UBC. Her work has also been featured overseas: in 1989, Susan's work was exhibited in galleries in Switzerland alongside artists Joe David and Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun. Susan has been commissioned for many large-scale private and public collections since 1981. In 1993, Susan created various glass, copper, and cedar panels for the Vancouver International Airport and in 1994 she was commissioned to also carve a 16" diameter red cedar spindle whorl titled 'Flight'. In 2011, she carved a housepost titled 'Rebirth' for the Vancouver Art Gallery, BC and in 2011 she carved a red cedar Welcome Figure for Douglas College in New Wesminster, BC. Many of her pieces are featured throughout the city of Vancouver, at the Vancouver International Airport and at UBC's Museum of Anthropology. Since the early 1990s, Susan has received numerous awards that recognize her great artistic abilities and achievements. In March of 2004, Susan was appointed to the Royal Canadian Academy and in 2006 Susan was awarded the Order of Canada. In 2007, she received a BC Creative Achievement Award for Aboriginal Art. She has been awarded Honorary Doctorates in Fine Arts from Emily Carr College of Art and Design (2008), Simon Fraser University (2008), and the University of British Columbia (2009).
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