Thomas Stream: Worlds in a Wing - Stonington Gallery

THOMAS STREAM� � : WORLDS IN A WING

EXHIBIT CATALOG PRESENTED BY STONINGTON GALLERY

WI NTER WR EN Original Gouache Painting Conservation Framed 38.13”h x 31.13”w

THOMAS STREAM Aleut artist Thomas Stream was born in Kodiak, AK in 1941. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Cornish School of Allied Arts in 1976.

He began the Aleutian Painting series in 1996, an exploration of natural forms, vivid colors and delicate patterns. This series is encapsulated by the phrase, “We are still here,” a simple—yet poignant and powerful—statement that sums up Stream’s outlook on his heritage and his artwork. The paintings in this show are continuations of this series.

Stream’s vivacious animals wear traditional Aleutian hunting hats. These represent nobility and status within Aleut society. The visors have been made out of steam-bent driftwood for millennia, serving both to shade the hunter’s face in his kayak and to spiritually connect the hunter to his prey. The shape of the visor echoes the Aleutian kayaks. In Stream’s iconography these visors celebrate the individual spirit of each animal, while connecting them to the Aleut people, who share the same environment.

Stream’s paintings make use of geometric designs and pointillist dots. At first glance, these dots and lines simply add depth to a jay’s wing or an orca’s tail.

However, these spiraling forms are cultural techniques to visualize time and space—the addition of which lend a longevity and immortality to their subjects.

“The hat I use in my paintings is an Aleut Chief’s hat or an Aleut noble’s hat and is my way of representing and honoring the nobility of my people, the Aleut, as well as native peoples around the world. “ —Thomas Stream

B R AM B LI N G Original Gouache Painting Conservation Framed 24.25”h x 31.13”w

AN N OYAN CE Original Gouache Painting Conservation Framed 39.13”h x 31.38”w

PAI NTED B U NTI N G Original Gouache Painting Conservation Framed 31.38”h x 24”w

L ADY B U G Original Gouache Painting Conservation Framed 31.38”h x 38.75”w

“The images illustrate humility and honor to a unique group of people. I utilize the creatures of the sky, sea, and earth to depict the wonderful wittiness, strength, playfulness, sensitivity, power and sorrow of the Aleuts and their environment.”

—Thomas Stream

PYR R H U LOXIA Original Gouache Painting Conservation Framed 24”h x 31.13”w

I N PU RSU IT Original Gouache Painting Conservation Framed 24.25”h x 31.38”w

PACI FI C TR EE FRO G Original Gouache Painting Conservation Framed 31.38”h x 38.75”w

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Cover Image: Brambling Back Image: Winter Wren, detail Stonington Gallery 125 South Jackson Street Seattle, WA 98104 206.405.4040 / art@stoningtongallery.com All Works by Thomas Stream © Stonington Gallery 2013