Tlingit Modernism: Preston Singletary Solo Exhibition Online Catalogue

TLINGITMODERNISM PRESTON SINGLETARY

Douglas Reynolds Gallery

2335 Granville Street

Vancouver, BC V6H 3G4

604-731-9292

info@douglasreynoldsgallery com

www.douglasreynoldsgallery.com

The Douglas Reynolds Gallery is excited to present Preston Singletary’s solo exhibition titled Tlingit Modernism.

These new glass sculptures focus on themes of Tlingit oral traditions and designs which shape Preston Singletary's contemporary perspective of Northwest Coast Indigenous culture

Thunderbird Egg

Collaboration with Joe David

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ARTIST STATEMENT

When I began working with glass in 1982, I had no idea that I'd be so connected to the material in the way that I am. It was only when I began to experiment with using designs from my Tlingit cultural heritage that my work began to take on a new purpose and direction.

Over time, my skill with the material of glass and traditional form line design has strengthened and evolved, allowing me to explore more fully my own relationship to both my culture and chosen medium. This evolution, and subsequent commercial success, have positioned me as an influence on contemporary indigenous art

Through teaching and collaborating in glass with other Native American, Maori, Hawaiian, and Australian Aboriginal artists, I've come to see that glass brings another dimension to indigenous art. The artistic perspective of indigenous people reflects a unique and vital visual language that has connections to the ancient codes and symbols of the land, and this interaction has informed and inspired my own work.

My work with glass transforms the notion that Native artists are only best when traditional materials are used. It has helped advocate on behalf of all indigenous people - affirming that we are still here - that we are declaring who we are through our art in connection to our culture.

My work continues to evolve and connect my personal cultural perspective to current modern art movements, and I have received much attention for striving to keep the work fresh and relevant. I have been honored that my success has inspired other artists from underrepresented indigenous cultures to use glass and other non-traditional materials in their work, and hope that I can continue to encourage more innovation in this area as my career progresses.

Raven and the Box of Daylight Cast Lead Crystal

32 ½” H x 8 ½” W x 6" D

$135,000 CAD / $100,000 USD

“This totem is based on the iconic Tlingit story of Raven and the Box of Daylight, which tells the story of Raven who brings light via the moon, stars, and sun to a previously dark world.

At the top of this totem is the mischievous Raven holding the sun, while the wealthy man and his daughter stand on the box of daylight. The original wood totem was carved by David Franklin.”

Initiation

Collaboration with Joe David

Blown and Sand Carved Glass

17 ¾” H x 16" W x 16" D

$33,000 CAD / $24,000 USD

Loon’s Alliance

Blown and Sand Carved Glass

10 ¾" H x 19 ½" W x 10" D

$27,000 CAD / $20,000 USD

Water Protector

Collaboration with Joe David

Blown and Sand Carved Glass

36 ¾" H x 9" W x 5 ½" D

$38,000 CAD / $28,000 USD

Canadian Goose

Blown and Sand Carved Glass

16 ¾” H x 21" W x 7" D

$33,000 CAD / $24,000 USD

Spirit Helper Blown and Sand Carved Glass

9 ½" H x 30" W x 6" D

$33,000 CAD / $24,000 USD

Rising Sea

Blown and Sand Carved Glass

24" H x 18" W x 10 ¼" D

$38,000 CAD / $28,000 USD

13” H x 24 ½” W x 14" D

$33,000 CAD / $24,000 USD

Raven’s Adventures

Blown and Sand Carved Glass

Too Powerful to Look At Blown and Sand Carved Glass

22” H x 19” W x 6 ½” D $38,000 CAD / $28,000 USD

Land Otter Person

Blown and Sand Carved Glass

10” H x 18" W x 8" D

$33,000 CAD / $24,000 USD

Winged Ones Above Blown and Sand Carved Glass

12” H x 23" W x 14" D

$33,000 CAD / $24,000 USD Douglas Reynolds Gallery

Into the Unknown Blown and Sand Carved Glass

12” H x 24" W x 5" D

$27,000 CAD / $20,000 USD

Thunderbird Egg

Collaboration with Joe David

Blown and Sand Carved Glass

13" H x 7" diam

$27,000 CAD / $20,000 USD

Douglas Reynolds Gallery

Tlingit Basket, Cedar/Brick

Blown and Sand Carved Glass

5 ½" H x 6 ½" diam

$4,700 CAD / $3,500 USD

Tlingit Basket, Amber/Orange

Blown and Sand Carved Glass

6 ½" H x 6" diam

$4,700 CAD / $3,500 USD

Tlingit Basket, Cornflower/Cedar

Blown and Sand Carved Glass

8 ¼" H x 7 ½" diam

$11,000 CAD / $8,200 USD

Ghost River Blown and Sand Carved Glass

26 ½” H x 7 ½” W x 5 ¼" D $33,000 CAD / $24,000 USD

“This totem represents the coming together of my Tlingit culture and my wife’s Swedish culture. It’s a sculpture that represents the blending of our lives together with our children. The top figure represents Åsa, my wife, and directly below her is Odin, the Norse god flanked by two ravens at the front of a Swedish-style long boat. In Tlingit culture, it would have been a dugout canoe. Below Odin is our daughter Lydia’s face and below her, our son Orlo. He is holding our puppy, Ori, our pet cockapoo, represented as a wolf in this sculpture.

Åsa and I have been married for over 25 years and our symbiotic relationship has fueled my creative inspiration over these years. Odin is considered one of the Norse gods, and the equivalent I am proposing is that he is like a Shaman from our culture. Odin is usually depicted with two Ravens by his side. Raven is a prominent figure in Tlingit art and culture. I depicted Odin here as a guiding and protecting spirit like a Shaman from the Tlingit culture. David Svenson is the carver of this form, one of my original mentors. I conceptualized and designed this sculpture with David, and we collaborated to make this story come to life.”

The Douglas Reynolds Gallery, located in Vancouver’s South Granville gallery district, was established in 1995. We specialize in contemporary Northwest Coast Indigenous art. The gallery showcases museum-quality pieces that make use of contemporary media including glass, bronze, aluminum, and forton. Artworks include masks, totem poles, bentwood boxes, sculpture, gold and silver jewelry.

Director and owner Douglas Reynolds has thirty-five years of experience dealing with Northwest Coastal Indigenous art. The gallery offers pieces by well-known artists such as Bill Reid, Robert Davidson, Jim Hart, Don Yeomans, Phil Gray and Preston Singletary. Works by many of these artists can be found in museums and private collections worldwide.

We pride ourselves on a unique collection of works, and friendly, knowledgeable consultants and staff.

View the full exhibition on the gallery website here:

Collaboration with Joe David