Lily Hope with her youngest daughter, Ella at the show opening of Chilkat Robes featured at the Antique Native American Art Show at the El Museo de Santa Fe in the Railyard District – August 17, 2015
Two months ago, when my daughter Lily called me and asked if I wanted “Chilkat Child” to be featured in a Chilkat exhibit featuring antique robes in Santa Fe directly before the Santa Fe Indian Market, at first I thought it impossible to get together an exhibit in that short amount of time, yet I jumped in anyway, because I’ve learned that in an artist’s life, anything can happen!
“Diving Whale” Chilkat robe – I understand the whales depicted in this manner are the humpback whales as opposed to the killerwhales of Southeast Alaska
According to John Morris and Kim Martindale, the producers/directors of this annual exhibit of Antique Native American Art Show and Sale, all proceeds from the sales in this specific exhibit of Chilkat robes are donated to the New Mexico PBS station in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Chilkat exhibit was a special feature during the Antique Native American Art Show held at the El Museo de Santa Fe in the Railyard District.
Clarissa’s interpretation of this robe: the unusual black background lends itself to show the diving “White Raven” amongst the floating entities
16 Chilkat and 2 Ravenstail weavings were exhibited in this show, 4 of which were contemporary pieces created in the past 10 years including: 1 Ravenstail robe woven by Delores Churchill, 1 Chilkat tunic and 1 Chilkat/Ravenstail robe by Cheryl Samuel, 1 child-size Ravenstail ensemble by Lily Hope, and 1 child-size Chilkat ensemble by myself. The other 13 were antique Chilkat robes from private collections; most of them in great condition.
As opposed to all the other antique Chilkat robes in this exhibit which were collected in the 1800’s, these two Chilkat robes were collected in the early 1900’s
“So many “relatives” in one room…!” That’s the way we Northwest Coast Native peoples feel when we see all these elders! I could have demonstrated the weaving of Chilkat on my loom smack dab in the middle, but I didn’t! How would I be able to stand the energies!? How would I be able to respond to all the visitors in a normal, coherent manner? I would be “drunk” with ecstacy being in their presence!–so it was best we demonstrated off to the side of the exhibit!
Lily and Ella Hope stand with Lily’s Ravenstail/button robe ensemble “Little Watchman”
A couple of months ago, our Alaskan Lt. Governor Byron Mallott asked me who my weaving mentors were. I had never been asked that question before; and I was doubly surprised by the fact that I don’t have any (living) mentors anyway! There is no one older than our generation that knows how to weave! Like we are it! HOWEVER, I have first-hand experience in the power of spiritual transference of knowledge “through the veils” of time and space. My mentor and teacher is still Jennie Thlunaut even though she passed in 1986. So when I speak of the presence of our “elders” in these robes, I speak not only of the weaver who wove the robe, but all those whose DNA have become a part of the robe because they wore the robe!
Clarissa has seen at least two other renditions of this robe; this one being in the best condition than the others
Based on suggestions, there is a proposal underway to bring this collection (all or part or additional) to a few museums across the continent. Some have suggested New York and Los Angelos; I of course suggested that the robes “go home” for a little while and be shown in Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, Washington and Juneau, Alaska. Who else but our own people would appreciate being amongst “relatives” not seen for awhile OR have not ever met in person!?
Canadian Chilkat and Ravenstail Weaver, Cheryl Samuel’s latest Chilkat robe (left) and Chilkat tunic (right) – Bill Holm wears the Chilkat tunic in the small photograph between these two weavings
I am working with a coordinator to see if these robes will indeed go on tour; if so, I will keep everyone posted through this blog, through my email contacts and through my Facebook page. In the meantime, please do stay tuned!
Clarissa demonstrates Chilkat weaving opening night of the Chilkat Weaving Exhibit featured at the Antique Native American Art Show & Sale
Lily Hope and mother Clarissa Rizal demonstrate weaving at the Chilkat Weaving Exhibit
Weavers Cheryl Samuel and Clarissa Rizal discuss a passionate subject: keeping our health as we get older!
Close-up of “White Raven” amongst the floating entities
Clarissa Rizal’s demonstration space with Chilkat robe, drum and elk-hide chair
Lily Hope’s “Little Watchman” and Clarissa’s “Chilkat Child” 5-piece woven ensemble had the honor of standing amongst 18 antique Chilkat robe “relatives”
Kim Martindale and John Morris were the Curators of the “Chilkat Blankets – Artistic Masterpieces” exhibit during