Masked Marvels from the Northwest By Southwest Exhibit

"I really wasn't taking pictures of the art per se, but of the shadows the art created" I explained to the museum staff member as they approached me to tell me that there was no photography allowed of the exhibit. I don't think what I had said really sunk in. Shadows. Come, on! Whoever does that? We had come up to the third floor by way of the flight of stairs and there was no sign at the top of the landing indicating such policy. The only place there was a sign was at the information desk which is what you see after you step out of the elevator. We didn't take the elevator.

Oh, well. Damage is done-I did get some shots in before I was stopped!

Masked Marvels

Here's what the Mary Brogan Museum (aka The Brogan Museum) in Tallahassee has on their website in regards to this stunning exhibit. Stunning, I say, absolutely:

Native American Exhibit

NORTH BY SOUTHWEST: Native American Art from the Collection of I.S.K. Reeves V & Sara W. Reeves April 16, 2010 - September 19, 2010

This exhibit will be comprised geographically from four of North America's native cultures.  Over 130 Native American art objects and artifacts of The Plains, Northwest Coast, Inuit and Southwest will be showcased. Dating from the mid 19th to the early 20th centuries, historic ceremonial and utilitarian objects will include masks, beaded moccasins, hand-loomed textiles, ledger drawings, Kachina dolls, parfleche bags, pottery, basketry, silver jewelry, and much more.  The extensive collection is on loan courtesy of I.S.K. Reeves V & Sara W. Reeves of Winter Park, Florida. 

North Coast Tlingit Shaman's crown ("Ut-har-qu"), circa: 1890-1900
I think it is fascinating that cultures throughout the world and throughout time deem head gear such as headdresses and crowns  to be a symbol of importance, hierarchy and an indication of one's societal role. Such as, crowns.
This is a Shaman's crown used for "curing victims of illness caused by witchcraft" or "confronting an individual believed to be a witch". I mean, it looks powerful and ominous to me even though I am grappling with assigning power to something that one wears on  one's head. Oh, I and do know that the significance of it is contextual more than anything else. I mean, imagine seeing someone walking down the street wearing this on their head. Shaman and power are not things that would come to your mind!

Shadow of a Shaman's mask.

A roach shadow...

 Plains hair roach circa: 1860
Made from wild turkey beard and porcupine hair (dyed) that is layered. This headdress (known as roaches back then) were commonly worn by the Great Plains Sioux warriors.

 Shaman's Mask of an Eskimo, circa: 19th century
According to the book I bought, this is considered a "transitional, Pacific Eskimo mask, possibly of the Prince William Sound area." I guess it's considered to be transitional because it has features of both Eskimo and Northwest Coast styles.

These masks are only a small fraction of what the exhibit has. Mind you, I live in New Mexico and have been to the museum here dedicated to Native American Art. I would contend that this private collection rivals what I've seen in the museum in NM. I don't know if it's a traveling exhibit, but it wouldn't hurt to ask the curator of your local museum to bring this show in (it may take a few years since they book years in advance). And, of course, I bought the book that goes with this exhibit. That made me a very happy camper.

Did I say that this was a stunning exhibit? Yes, stunning. I am grateful to the Reeves for being so generous as to share this incredible collection with the world and I am also grateful to the mechanism that funded the curation of the exhibit. Well done!

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.