Apr 6, 2013 | Latest Art Projects, Ravens & Eagles, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, To Market To Market |
The proposed “Resilience” Chilkat robe design by Clarissa Rizal
I would like your support on a project that is happening this week until the April 12th Art Event at the Portland Art Museum in Portland. This year, out of 7 art works, PAM will be purchasing only 2 of the new art works for their permanent collection. There are 7 curators who have chosen 7 different artists. Each of PAM’s seven curators have selected a work of art that they hope will find a place in the Museum—whether an ancient work of Chinese art or the latest from a contemporary artist.
There is only one choice for a new Native American art work to be placed in the museum; the Chilkat robe is IT! — Remember, there will be only 2 artworks out of 7 that will be chosen for PAM’s permanent collection
My proposed Chilkat robe called “Reslience” is up for vote; as of today, the Chilkat robe is placed 4th in the running. That’s not quite good enough; I’ve got to be at least 2nd in the running – here’s your chance to play a role in influencing the Museum’s permanent collection AND here’s your chance to vote for a Chilkat robe to be added to their Native American art collection AND here’s your chance to help me support myself with this Chilkat robe commission for this next year!
Go to the Portland Art Museum’s website at the address below and click on:
7 Curators, 7 Choices <https://www.portlandartmuseum.org/curatorchoices>
Scroll down to the image of the Chilkat and click on “more” – you may view the video and/or read the description by Deana, the Curator of Native American art. Scroll down and click on the “vote” button – this will automatically place your vote for the Chilkat robe!
I truly appreciate your time and support in placing a new Chilkat robe in the Portland Art Museum!
Remember, you must vote asap by April 10th(?) – time is of the essence.
Gunalcheesh! (Tlingit for “thank you”)
Feb 11, 2013 | Latest Art Projects, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
“Resilience” Chilkat robe “pattern board” draft – copyright Clarissa Rizal 2013
I think it’s either brave of me to reveal to the world a Chilkat pattern board I recently designed, or I am plain stupid. Is it taboo to show a pattern board of a Chilkat robe I am planning on weaving this Summer? Will someone steal this idea before I get around to weaving it, or do a rendition of it? Am I “jumping the gun” and sabotaging the energy of actually weaving this robe by sharing the pattern board? Anyone want to share your thoughts on this?
I have wanted to weave the idea of this robe since 1985; I finally got around to drafting up the design – I actually have the full-size “pattern board” – just the design field (without the borders) measures 48″ w x 28″h. The following is the design meaning:
“Resilience” is a “document” depicting icons of Western influences that changed our Northwest Coast indigenous peoples during the past 300+ years, and Native logos reflecting cultural integration and strength.
The Icons and their meanings:
• ships – Russians, Spanish and English explorers/traders
• double doors flanked by columns – museums, collectors, anthropologists
• pair of hands holding the gold pan – mining, western monetary system
• cross – Christianity, missionaries, organized religions, boarding schools
The Logos and meanings:
• Eagle and Raven represents the clan system-the fundamental foundation of the culture; also represents the Tlingit and Haida Central Council (logo) established in 1935
• Within each wing, logos of the ANB (Alaska Native Brotherhood) established 101 years ago in 1912 and the ANS (Alaska Native Sisterhood) were first indigenous civil rights groups in the U.S. – these two organizations gave “flight” for indigenous rights
• Within the chest of the Eagle and Raven, the Sealaska Corporation logo, 1 of 13 Regional Native Corporations of Alaska spawned from the passing of the Alaska Native Land Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) in 1971 – these organizations reflect the “heart” of the present-day cultures’ integrating western ways of living and conducting western business while maintaining cultural values and ethics
• Tail – the new “rudders”; the new institutions created to assist in archiving, preserving and perpetuating the Native cultures of today; depicted is the Sealaska Heritage Institute (logo) established in 1980.
I plan on including Ravenstail weaving patterns in the “water” behind the ships and in the white “pillars.” I’ll also weave Ravenstail here and there in the robe. It’s fun to incorporate the Ravenstail weaving patterns into the Chilkat robes.
Sep 1, 2010 | Honoring Others, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
The silent auction included art prints, Native foods baskets, jewelry, overnights for 2 at various local hotels, and a couple of Pendleton blankets!
Last Friday, August 27th, a fundraiser dinner was held at the ANB Hall in Juneau, for cancer patients Clarence Jackson and Barbara Fields. The fundraising efforts included a Chinese and Silent Auction, of course topped of with a salmon/spaghetti dinner which included herring egg salad, steamed rice and fresh rolls, served to a hungry group of 250+ folks who just got off of work at 4:30pm.
I apologize for not taking any photographs of the food – I was too busy eating, and by the time i thought of taking photos of the food, it was too late! (Come on you guys, you know I like taking photographs of food, right!?) I think my mother and sister got full on the herring egg salad, so they couldn’t eat the fresh sockeye salmon – I got to take their portions home…ah, the benefits for just being there!
A Chinese auction included 2 sets of Alaska Airline tickets, a painted bentwood box, and a huge box of subsistence foods from Angoon!
Mayor Jan Hill from Haines, won the 1st set of Alaska Airlines tickets for two!
Young dancers performed for the audience
How much money was raised during this event? I don’t know. Yet, it was a good feeling to see the large number of folks who came out to help support both Clarence and Barbara in their journey towards healing themselves of cancer.
