Ant/Dragonfly/Hornet/Mosquito

Description

Set of four prints same size same colour paper.K̓adalat̓si “Ant” is a special insect that is connected to ghosts and their realm in the underground. These small creatures are able to tunnel into the earth and are messengers for the Chief of the Ghosts. Ants are seen as the keepers of ancient knowledge and teach us about loyalty and working together in unity. The color green is a color that symbolizes growth and wealth that comes from under the sea.Mama’k̓wa “Dragonfly” is associated with warriors and is the guardian spirit for certain warriors. During warrior dances, warrior’s bodies are pierced and hung up in the roof beams to appease the Warrior Spirit Winalaga̱lis. When the dancers blood is shed, spiritual balance is restored for the people. Depending on the color of the guardian spirit, a warrior dancer could have small blue and black paddle-like ornaments that are sewn to their regalia symbolizing the wings of their powerful insect guardian spirit.Ha̱msa̱lał “Hornet” are respected as spirit protectors for warriors. If a warrior’s spirit is this bright insect, the paddles on their regalia will be a bright yellow mixed with black. The name Ha̱msa̱lał refers to the humming sound that these insects make. This sound is associated with the presence of spiritual power from Winalaga̱lis. The Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw have an instrument that is a small wooden paddle in the shape of the hornet’s wing attached to a long rope that is spun over the head to imitate this powerful humming sound, indicating the spirit of warriors is near.Dłisdła̱n “Mosquito” is associated with the Man-Eater Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’. In the ancient legend of the A̱wik̓inux̱w “Rivers Inlet Tribe”, their ancestor Na̱nwaḵawe’ “Wise One” after killing the dreaded Man-Eater, took his ashes and his family and blew it into the four directions saying, “Now you will be the biting insects of the world, you will crave human blood and remind us of the power of Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’.” The color red in the design represents the mosquito’s craving for human blood, and also represents the color of “life” among the Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw.- William Wasden Jr.William Wasden Jr., or Wak̕analagalis ʼThe-River-Flows-Through-Him-Foreverʼ was born at ʼYa̱lis (Alert Bay) British Columbia on October 14, 1967.Chief T̕sesti’lela Wa’kas Simon Dick initially taught William basic art forms at a very young age. When he was 12, he was enrolled into Chief and Master Carver Douglas Cranmer’s art classes at Alert Bay. Later, William came under the tutelage of his cousin Beau Dick at Alert Bay. In the years that followed, William attended Haida artist Don Yeoman’s native art classes in Victoria from which he received the Henry Hunt Memorial award for artistic achievement. In the late 1990’s, William began jewellery engraving with Paddy Seaweed and Randy Cook and he has since returned to that art form.During his high school years, William heard his grandfather, Singer/Composer/Chief Thomas Hunt, sing for the first time and he was moved so much by this experience that he decided to shift his focus from artwork to traditional singing with hopes of preserving the dying tradition.To this day, William continues to learn from recordings and present day knowledge that remains. He is grateful to have been taught to sing by his Elders at a time when the tradition had almost faded away. William continues to teach singing in Alert Bay and also leads the ‘Gwa’wina Dancers Cultural Society’, a professional dance troupe, whose intention is to share authentic Kwakwaka’wakw culture and teachings.