Dance whistle
Date2023 ca.
Place MadeVancouver, British Columbia, Canada, North America
Serial No.None
SignedHandwritten on end opposite the mouthpiece: ROD SMITH THAELKUALISDescriptionThis dance whistle by Rod Smith is made of single piece of red cedar, split in two and hollowed with integral mouthpiece and duct. It has twine wrappings and is embellished with acrylic paint in formline design, a traditional decorative style in Northwest Coast art. The geometric, abstracted features of the whistle come from centuries old practices of embellishing totemic figures in carving, painting, and weaving. The designs may represent raven's eyes and a whale's tail or fins.Historic examples of similar size and type can be readily found in museum collections. Generally, the intended use informs to what degree historic examples are decorated. Painted and carved whistles would be used in settings where they would be seen, as opposed to undecorated examples that would be hidden during use.
Born in 1966, Smith is a First Nation artist from Vancouver. He is best known for his elegant and detailed painting style and his carvings. He was taught by his father and artist, the late Harris Smith. Rod was given two names Thaelkualis “He Who Feasts the People Till Morning” and Galuyagmi “Great First Birth.”Dimensions11 x 2inProvenancePurchased new from the Douglas Reynolds Gallery, Vancouver, Canada.Published ReferencesArianna Van Kley and Michael Suing. _Of Thee I Sing: Origin, Heritage, and Patriotism_. National Music Museum, 2026: 20-21.
Credit LinePurchase funds gift of the Clayton & Odessa Lang Ofstad Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee, 2025
Object number15900
On View
On view
1885-1910 ca.