e'ehhwe'p sywth (To Share History) Item Number: 3113/1 a-f from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Tall, double-sided, three-dimensionally carved vertical panel on stand. Killer whale and crocodile themes; one side is inspired by coastal Salish themes/imagery, the other side is inspired by Sepik River (Papua New Guinea) themes and imagery. Made of cedar, walnut and rosewood with ebony inlay.

Cultural Context

Title means "to share history"

Narrative

Marston wrote: "For me this carving is a symbol of connection between different cultures. Our patience and understanding for one another. Our willingness to help, and our kindness in sharing tradition. Ehwep Syuth also reflects the value of taking time to look deeper, to truly understand people." Marston is featured in a documentary with artist Teddy Balangu, called "Killerwhale and Crocodile." The documentary is a visual tale of Marston’s journey to the Sepik River, Papua New Guinea and Balangu's journey to Salish territory, in Canada. The film tells the story of their meeting and cross-cultural exchange. During Marston’s 29-day-journey to Papua New Guinea, the two carvers were able to learn from the unique traditions that influence each artist’s work. Balangu then travelled to Canada with Marston, where he worked as the artist-in-residence at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, for about five-and-a-half months.

Iconographic Meaning

From the artist's statement: "...the suns and the moons on either side are placed in opposing positions; this symbolizes the two cultures that are geographically a world apart but similar in so many ways. Four face masks carved from New Guinea rosewood are placed beneath the exterior yellow cedar suns and moons and can only be viewed while looking in through the negative space that has been removed. This is the embodiment of the people found within the diverse cultures. Two on either side symbolizing the balance of male and female resonates to the importance of balance in ceremony. The supporting posts carved from black walnut are Sea Wolves, the guardians of land and water. The pins that support the stance of the centre panel are carved from ebony in the shapes of snakes and salmon. The carved rosewood border symbolizes the connection we have with water and also the connection to the forest. ...Also within the border sections of design are inlayed with black walnut in four areas. This represents the four directions, which is an important part of our ceremonial life. The influence of Papua New Guinea helped distinguish colours; these brighter pigments are direct tones found within the land. The Killer Whales and Crocodiles at the base of the posts are reinforcements. They are supporting one another and have become brothers, also reflecting the role these creatures play in both nations' historical legends. The fine braided cedar bark rope symbolizes the connection and ties that have bound the cultures together... The design of the panel depicts many different animals found in Papua New Guinea and Canada. These sacred animals are found within positive and negative space. The head, eye and mouth may appear in negative space, while the wings flow off these lines into positive. Colours change, but forms continue to stay together."

Item History

What

Name
e'ehhwe'p sywth (To Share History)
Identification Number
3113/1 a-f
Type of Item
panel
Material
yellow cedar wood, sepik rose wood, black walnut wood, ebony wood, cedar bark and paint
Overall
height 213.5 cm, width 149.5 cm, depth 88.3 cm

Who

Culture
Coast Salish: Stz'uminus
Creator
John Marston (Maker)
Previous Owner
Christiane Smyth and George Smyth
Received from
Christiane Smyth (Donor) and George Smyth (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

When

Creation Date
during 2007
Ownership Date
before June 12, 2015
Acquisition Date
on June 12, 2015

Other

Item Classes
carvings & sculpture
Condition
good
Accession Number
3113/0001 a-f