Wood
The gallery displays woodwork including totem poles, panels, carved paddles and masks.[2] Nearly all totem poles are carved from a single trunk of a Western red cedar, known as the tree of life on the Northwest Coast because of its versatility and abundance. Other wood types on display include yellow cedar, maple, and alder.
Castings
Castings in Indigenous art, particularly among Northwest Coast Indigenous artists, have become increasingly common since the late 20th century, as artists explored new materials and methods to complement traditional carving and design.
Forton castings refer to sculptures or artworks created using Forton MG, a gypsum-based composite material that’s strengthened with polymers and fiberglass. It’s widely used in the art world as a cost-effective, lightweight, and highly durable alternative to solid plaster or bronze. Artists produce limited editions of sculptures in Forton as a more affordable alternative to bronze.
Bronze / Aluminum; aluminum castings refer to sculptures or art objects created by casting molten aluminum into molds. This method is commonly used by contemporary artists and foundries because aluminum offers a distinct combination of lightness, durability, and aesthetic versatility. Bronze casting involves pouring molten bronze (an alloy typically of copper and tin) into a mold to create a sculpture. The most common method used is the lost-wax casting process (cire-perdue), though sand casting is also employed for larger or less intricate works. In the art world, bronze is favored for its strength, durability, and ability to capture fine details, making it the benchmark for high-quality sculpture.
Glass sculpture refers to artworks that are formed, shaped, or cast in glass, a medium prized for its transparency, luminosity, and fragility. Glass art spans from delicate blown pieces to solid cast forms, and it occupies a unique space between fine art, craft, and design.
Serigraphs
Serigraphy was introduced to Indigenous Northwest Coast art in the 1960s and 1970s, as part of a broader movement to revitalize and commercialize Indigenous art forms. Artists like Bill Reid (Haida), Robert Davidson (Haida), and Tony Hunt (Kwakwaka'wakw) began producing limited edition prints. Serigraphs, also known as screen prints or silkscreens, are a type of fine art print made using the screen printing process, where ink is pushed through a mesh stencil onto a surface, typically paper, but also fabric, metal, or wood. In the art world, serigraphy is a respected printmaking technique known for its vibrant colors, sharp lines, and layered textures.
