Spiny urchins and polished mussels, gentle whales and fearsome sharks– the Pacific Ocean houses within its depths a plethora of life, much of which has yet to be discovered. The mysteries of the deep are prominently featured in Northwest Coast legend and mythology. Most cultures along the coast have myths about a great flood that dispersed their ancestors and led directly to the establishment of the distinct societies that make up the region today. The Kwakwaka’wakw believe in an entire oceanic realm, ruled by the stern hand of Kumugwe, Chief of the Undersea World, and replete with aquatic equivalents to the land and sky based creatures that play active roles in oral traditions. Similarly, Haida myths describe an undersea world led by Taangghwanlaana, a powerful chief credited with controlling the flow of wealth into the world – perhaps an early recognition of the importance of the ocean’s bounty.
With art works that range from the literal to the spiritual, this collection looks closely at what lies beneath the surface and celebrates the abundance of life that continues to inspire artists and art admirers alike.