Boo-Qwilla
by Mackenzie
When I first viewed the piece, I was in awe, in awe of the excellent craftsmanship of a sculpture which relates legends of the North West Coast Americans. .This piece is very representative of the North Americans. As light falls upon the piece, it gives the sculpture a more livened appearance. Lines are clearly defined by vibrant colors and varying shapes. Red, black, green, and blue colors are typical of the North American totem poles. The paints are made with a type of fish egg tempera. My eyes travel along the linear form. The smooth textured surface is being given depth to transform it into a strong, solid piece.
Here is the legend that this totem pole symbolizes:
On this Nuu-chah-nulth totem pole, Thunderbird towers overhead with wings outstretched. He perches on top of Raven, the Creator of Earth, Light, and Consciousness. Raven's wings encompass the headdress of Boo-Qwilla, a person of knowledge, wisdom, and achievement. Legend affirms Raven's most prized creation to be this ancestral human, who is charged with the safekeeping of the preservation of the earth. At the base, a supernatural Killer Whale is transforming into Wolf. This creature possesses magical healing powers, which aid mankind.