Clan Unity - Ottawa, Ontario
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Weathervane
N 45° 25.385 W 075° 41.724
18T E 445596 N 5030186
Clan Unity is a wooden sculpture created by Dempsey Bob in 1985. It is located on the second floor, above the foyer of the National Arts Centre, on Elgin Street, in Ottawa, Ontario.
Waymark Code: WM11F7E
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 10/12/2019
Views: 3
Inscription on the plaque on site:
Dempsey Bob
Clan Unity, 1985
This installation, called Clan Unity, is carved from red cedar and detailed using acrylic paint. The theme of the panel is trade and the sharing of ideas and goods. It features symbolism of the four main Northwest Coast Native groups, the Orca, the Wolf, the Raven and the Eagle. The crests together represent cultural unity and completeness. The raven is seen holding the daylight; when Raven brought the light it also gave the use of knowledge to the people. The figure in front of the Eagle is the female and the figure between the Raven and Eagle is the male; together they represent the people. The bentwood box symbolizes trade, referencing traditional boxes used by Indigenous people of the Northwest Coast to carry possessions. The rainbow represents the exchange of ideas or goods.
Dempsey Bob is a member of the Wolf Clan, and in 1969 the Tahltan-Tlingit artist began carving with master carver Freda Diesing. In 1974, Dempsey Bob began teaching professionally. He is best known for his carvings of large totem poles throughout North America and in London, England. Bob also has major artworks included in the collections of the Canadian Museum of History and prominently displayed at the Vancouver International Airport.
Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Clan Unity
Figure Type: Combination of two figure types
Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Dempsey Bob
Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: 1985
Materials used: Red Cedar and Acrylic Paint
Location: National Arts Centre
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