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original art by Sheldon Skillie

Kushtika (Shapeshifters)











Reproductions in plaster of an original plaster carving, these are my first foray into casting copies of my work. Like much of my work, these are dynamic compositions that have no specific orientation. Having no set 'top' or 'bottom', the viewer discriminates their own interpretation. A 'choose your own adventure', I'm aiming for universality in appeal with my work. Too often have I encountered folks who appreciate northwest coast art but feel alienated by crest affiliation, perceived cultural animosity, and oversensitivity to historical perspective. I want this art to be open to all who seek to enjoy it, if not for its historical and cultural significance, then at least for the art itself.




2 comments:

=Eric said...

The viewer perceives what he will, regardless. You are a maker. Make what needs to be made.

fotogwaii said...

... keep up the hard work !

great to see what you are up to

About Me

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Portland, Oregon, United States
I am a Haida/Lakota artist currently working in ink on paper, acrylics on canvas and paper, argillite carving, and wood relief carving. I have been drawing all my life, have studied art briefly in college, and have apprenticed under professional native Alaskan artists Norman Jackson(Tlingit) and Don Varnell(Haida). Influences on my current works vary widely, incorporating ballet-like movements taken from skateboarding, the curvilnear sculptural lines found in northwest skateparks, the distorted waveform of my favorite modern rock/jazz/punk music, of course contemporary pop art, and the refinement found in traditional northern northwest coast native art, especially Haida and Tlingit art. I was born in Mountain View, California, grew up between Seattle, Washington, and Ketchikan Alaska, eventually settling in beautiful Portland, Oregon.