"Tanoo, Queen Charlotte Islands” (1913) by Emily Carr. Here's another amazing work of art for us to enjoy! This one looks quite different from the others that I've shared, don't you think?
In numerous works, Carr created images of a number of Indigenous villages, documenting buildings and Indigenous art for posterity, and providing us with a view of a way of life that, in many cases, no longer exists.
T’aanuu Llnagaay, which is often spelled "Tanu", is the resting place of Bill Reid (1920-1998), famed Haida sculpture, activist, and environmentalist, whose Raven matrilineal line traces its origins to this once vibrant Haida community. At one time, there were between 25 to 40 longhouses in T’aanuu Llnagaay, along with 31 mortuary poles and 15 mortuary houses. Little is left standing at T’aanuu Llnagaay, but today the spirit of the place is still strong. The house depressions and fallen moss-covered house posts give a vivid sense of the layout of the village. Haida Watchmen stay in a cabin near the village site and can provide information to visitors. T’aanu Llnagaay is part of the Haida Heritage Site but not part of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve or the National Marine Conservation Area Reserve.
That is amazing. If our current plans to travel to Vancouver this summer come to fruition, we plan a visit to both the Vancouver Art Gallery (for Emily Carr’s works) and to the Museum of Anthropology at UBC. Bill Reid’s sculpture of The Raven and the First Men is there. It would be wonderful to visit the Haida Heritage Site but that is an unlikely stretch for us! Thanks, Katherine.
Oh how exciting Jane! Vancouver in the summer then Toronto in the fall? You are probably checking in on us as you’re traveling the world, and we have no idea, do we? Travel tax is still welcomed! Haida Gwaii is quite a ways from Vancouver so I agree that it would be a special trip to go up there, but it would be a special trip indeed.
Please let us know if you plan to visit Vancouver! You will need to know and visit all the best spots to get pain au chocolat and seafood!
This painting is more colorful, brighter and more cheerful. While the others are fantastic pieces of art they made me rather sad. This one makes me feel more hopeful.
I agree, Libby, the others have felt so much heavier and darker. Maybe a reflection of her mood or maybe a reflection of the fact that it rains an awful lot here! But it makes our coastal areas so green and lush, so it’s worth it, in my opinion.
Wow, that color palette is surprising, from what I’ve seen of her works so far (mostly thanks to you, Katherine)! I wonder— did she continue to use these colors, or did she go back to her darker, richer colors in future works?
I agree and was surprised myself when I discovered this one. Good question about the trend and timing in her style – I’ll look into that!