The Black Canoe: Bill Reid and the Spirit of Haida Gwaii Hardcover

by Robert Bringhurst (Author), Ulli Steltzer (Photographer) It is rare for a single work of sculpture to become the subject of a book at any time, much less at the moment of its installation. But Bill Reid's Spirit of Haida Gwaii is no ordinary sculpture. Commissioned for the courtyard of the new Canadian chancery in Washington, DC, it sits directly across the street from the National Gallery and is destined to become one of the major artistic landmarks of the capital and of the North American continent. The Spirit of Haida Gwaii is a black bronze canoe, 6 metres long and filled to overflowing with the creatures of Haida mythology. Its passengers include the Raven, the Eagle, the Grizzly and his human wife, the Mouse Woman and the Dogfish Woman, among others. Amidships stands a human being, wrapped in the stylized skin of the mythical Seawolf, holding in his hand a smaller sculpture: a staff on which the story of creation, in Haida terms, is told. Condition - Dust jacket cover is edge-worn, curled edges, scuff and scratch marks. - Book cover is edge-worn - Front endsheet has previous owner's address label - Pages appear to have no writing, highlighting, stains, rips, folded corners or missing pages Product details Publisher ‏ : ‎ Douglas & McIntyre Language ‏ : ‎ English Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 176 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1550540378 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1550540376 Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.44 pounds Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.5 x 1 x 11 inches