Summary: | Edition: 150. About the Piece: "A Tlingit grandmother along with her grandchildren were standing on the shoreline watching the water. In the water swimming were a pod of killerwhales teaching their young to hunt seals. The young killerwhales were encouraged and shown by their elders how to hunt seals properly. Grandmother, after a span of time spoke to the killerwhales at the waters edge in Tlingit, explaining that her lineage was that of the Killerwhale and her family members were hungry too. Tlingits respect the intelligence of the killerwhale. Understanding her request, the killerwhales surrounded the seals and herded them toward shore. Next to shore, a seal trying to flee, jumped from the water onto the shoreline in fright. The grandchildren eager to gain an opportunity, quickly clubbed the seal for food the family could eat." Information Provided by the Artist. Michael Lee Beasley (Tlingit -- Raven of the Coho Clan). Mr. Beasley graduated from the University of Washington with a BFA in Metal design in 1987. An active Journeyman artist since 1987, his focus has been the study and implementation of classic Tlingit art forms. This complements his cultural Tlingit heritage inherited from his mother, Dorothy. "I am always a student and am challenged with different mediums from wood to precious metals of copper, silver and gold." Among Mr. Beasley's artworks are totem poles, masks, canoes, jewelry, limited edition prints and fabric designs. Mr. Beasley lives and works in Alaska where he owns and operates Beasley's Art Gallery with his twin brother who is also an artist. He may be reached through e-mail at beasley@gci.net. Information provided by the Artist. This is the third of three pieces by Mr. Beasley given by Norman and Louise Rose to the UWB Library. The first, a collaboration with Alberta Aspen, is a button robe, the second is a print, "100 Fathom Halibut."
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