The Whalers' Pole
Item number Nb11.262 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
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- Data
- Data Source
This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.
Description
Tall pole with carved and painted figures. Figures from top to bottom are: the harpooner, with a whale's dorsal fin in each hand; the second-ranked man in the whaling crew, who holds a harpoon; the shaman, who wears a frontlet and holds a rattle and a wand (and on his tongue is painted the head of a lightning serpent); Puk-ubs (whaler returned from drowing); and a grey whale, held up by Puk-ubs. The eyes and teeth on the shaman's face are in bronze.
Narrative
Pole commissioned by MOA, 1980-1982. The log used for the carving was from a village called Oo-ees, on Nitinat Lake. It was donated by the Nitinat people for this project. The pole was installed on the Kenny Building in recognition of Dr. Douglas T. Kenny's contribution to the study of Canada's heritage as Dean of Arts (1970-1975) and UBC President (1975-1983).
Iconographic Meaning
The artist said the pole was meant to represent the whaling tradition of the Nuu-chah-nulth people of the west coast.
Item History
- Made by Art Thompson (Maker), Duane Pasco (Technician), Glen Wood (Technician), Gene Brabant (Technician) and Joe David (Technician) in British Columbia, Canada during 1982
- Owned by Art Thompson before September 21, 1982
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Outdoor Sculpture Fund (Funding source) and Art Thompson (Seller) on September 21, 1982
What
- Name
- The Whalers' Pole
- Identification Number
- Nb11.262
- Type of Item
- totem pole
- Material
- cedar wood, paint and bronze metal
- Overall
- height 12.65 m, width 3.27 m, depth 0.97 m
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
Who
- Culture
- Nuu-chah-nulth: Ditidaht
- Creator
- Art Thompson (Maker), Duane Pasco (Technician), Glen Wood (Technician), Gene Brabant (Technician) and Joe David (Technician)
- Previous Owner
- Art Thompson
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Outdoor Sculpture Fund (Funding source) and Art Thompson (Seller)
When
- Creation Date
- during 1982
- Ownership Date
- before September 21, 1982
- Acquisition Date
- on September 21, 1982
Other
- Accession Number
- 0866/0001
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