Spirit Faces: Contemporary Masks of the Northwest Coast

Spirit Faces presents an outstanding collection of 75 masks, all in vivid colour, by 23 of the best First Nations artists working on the Northwest Coast today. These breathtakingly beautiful and powerful masks depict creatures (such as Eagle or Killer Whale), natural elements and forces (such as Moon or Weather), humans, and supernatural beings (such as Thunderbird or the Chief of the Undersea).

The introduction by Gary Wyatt outlines the place of art inside Northwest Coast societies and the place of Northwest Coast art in the outside art world. He also explains the importance, meaning and ceremonial use of masks. Each mask is accompanied by the artist’s own words describing its creation and meaning.