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$3,304.00
Dimensions: 17 inches x 13 3/4 inches x 2 inches (108 mm x 57 mm x 50.8 mm)
Material: Yellow cedar, red cedar weaving, acrylic paint
Year: 2020
Design:
This piece represents the story of Raven Steals the Light.It depicts the moment when Raven steals the light and flies out through the smoke hole of the longhouse. When he flies through the smoke hole, his feathers are singed, turning Raven from a white raven to a black raven, as he mischievously flies away with the light to release it into the world.
"The piece is my idea of Raven escaping through the smoke hole that’s why the background looks like roof shingles...This piece was created for the Hlkyaa kii art show. The art show was on the theme 'To Start a Fire: Renewable Energy and Food Sovereignty' ...my piece was to bring a spark or shed light on the topic, hence Raven Stealing the Light." - Haida Artist, Billy NC Yovanovich
Carved in yellow cedar, Yovanovich depicts the moment Raven flies through the smoke hole, to bring light to the world. The shape of Raven depicted here shows Raven squeezing through the smoke hole of a longhouse. The shingled roof background represents the roof of the longhouse, while Yovanovich used fire and burning techniques to create the effect of Raven being singed by fire. In Raven's beak is the light, painted in white. The piece is adorned with a red cedar bark woven hanger.
“The world was covered in darkness. Raven, sick of living in the dark, flies to the sky world in search of a ball of light. He had heard that the sky world’s chief kept the light hidden. The chief feared his daughter was ugly, out of shame he hid the light.
Raven waited for the perfect plan. He learned quickly that the chief’s daughter went to the stream everyday to collect water. Raven transformed himself into a hemlock needle for her to swallow as she drank he impregnated her with himself.
When Raven was born as a human child, he still had raven qualities, beedy eyes, a beak like nose, and some feathers on his arms.
The chief adored his grandson and would do anything and everything for him. As the boy grew he started to explore the longhouse, Raven realized there was a bentwood box out of reach. As he went to open the box. He saw another box. The chief caught him and slammed it shut!
Raven cried and cried. The chief gave in and opened a box. Inside was another. Raven cried and cried some more. Another box was opened. Raven cried until finally the last box was about to open, holding the light.
Quickly he transformed into his bird form, snapped the light in his beak and flew through the smoke hole. The smoke hole is what turned raven from a white bird to a black bird, as we know him today.
As raven flew off, he accidentally dropped the light and it shattered into two large pieces and small pieces.
Once the light came into our skies, the chief saw his daughter and realized she was actually very beautiful.“
By Haida Artist, Billy NC Yovanovich, Kuuhlaanuu:
Billy NC Yovanovich, Kuuhlaanuu is a Haida artist born from Ts’aahl Eagle clan. Billy is an emerging artist who has apprenticed under both Timmy Boyko and Garner Moody for carving. And also had the pleasure of learning formline and design from the late Ben Davidson and his father Robert Davidson. With all of these different teachers I have learned a unique style of which is my own taking inspiration from all of my teachings.
How do we ship your art?
Our mission is to ensure that every piece arrives in the same condition it left us in so that you can enjoy your artwork right away. Our packaging methods follow museum-quality recommendations to protect and preserve fine art.
Soft Crating:
We package this piece using the soft crating method. We start with wrapping the artwork in acid-free glassine. Then we add multiple layers of protection, including bubble wrap, and a vapor barrier to protect against moisture, which is then enclosed in a box made from heavy-duty foam board and further enclosed in corrugated heavy-duty cardboard. We ship UPS, which includes full insurance, a tracking number, and an adult signature, which is required upon delivery. We also complete all necessary customs clearance paperwork for items traveling outside Canada.
Our packaging methods adhere to museum and fine art standards to ensure your artwork arrives safely.
Testimonials:
“The UPS delivery man was very complimentary about the crating, saying it was the best he had seen! The Fisherman's Delight is in excellent condition! I'm so happy with it. Thank you for all your help and for following up to make certain that all was good with it. Excellent customer care and service! We've already made multiple recommendations for you and your business to friends who are also visiting Haida Gwaii.”
“The piece made it home intact and we are in the process of framing. Thanks for the help with this.”
“Excellent packaging job.”
Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any inquiries. We look forward to attending to your needs with the utmost care and attention to detail.
