The Raven and the Big Halibut Fisherman

Item number 2923/12 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Black and red version of print. Depicted are: a left-facing man at the far right of the image; a right-facing raven at the far left of the image; and a vertical central halibut with its head toward the top of the image. The original paper has been folded over at the top and bottom edges (previous framing). Signed in pencil "Bill Reid" and "Bob Reid" below the right corner of the image and again at the bottom of the paper, with “150-5” in pencil.

Specific Techniques

Relief print from an engraved silver block, depicting the raven and the big halibut fisherman; printed bichrome and monochrome by Rober R. Reid, c. 1958.

Narrative

According to the Bill Reid Gallery and Robert Bringhurst's book, "Solitary Raven," the print is called "The Raven and the Big Halibut Fisherman." However the print has also been referred to as "The Blind Halibut Fisherman" and the "Master Fisherman." Another MOA version of this print is labeled "An Episode in the Haida Raven Myth". There are black, black and red, and black and blue versions of the print; all the versions in the MOA collection are coloured differently. Dr. Sydney Friedman and his wife Dr. Constance Friedman were acquainted for many years with Haida artist, Bill Reid, whom they commissioned to make gold and silver jewellery, between the early 1950s and 1974.

Item History

Made by Bill Reid (Maker) and Robert Reid (Technician) in British Columbia, Canada during 1958
Owned by Constance Friedman
Owned by Sydney Friedman before November 14, 2011
Received from Sydney Friedman (Donor) on November 14, 2011