Lot 89
FLOYD JOSEPH TYEE (1953-) COAST SALISH, SQUAMISH, B.C.
Salish Wolf Spirit House Post, 1990
red cedar and paint, 77.5 x 17 x 7 in (196.8 x 43.2 x 17.8 cm)
inscribed, signed, and dated, " COAST SALISH / FLOYD JOSEPH TYEE / 1990";
titled, "SALISH WOLF SPIRIT HOUSE POST".

Provenance
Marion Scott Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.;
Acquired from the above by the present Private Collection, Toronto, 1190.

Published
Marion Scott Gallery, Vancouver, BC, Tyee, 4-20 October 1990, no cat. no., unpaginated, described as "Represents family unity and the power to transform".

In 1990, the Marion Scott Gallery hosted a solo catalogued exhibition titled Tyee for Coast Salish artist Floyd Joseph. This exhibition highlighted the unique style of this artist, with bold colours and contemporary interpretations of a wide range of subjects by a modern artist. Floyd Joseph was born in Capilano, North Vancouver, in 1951 and he is a hereditary chief for the Squamish nation and a full-time artist. The design is based on classic Salish houseposts and depicts a wolf and female form. The catalogue inscription quotes Tyee as saying that the pole represents family unity and the power to transform.

Gary Wyatt

References: For an overview of the artist's work, especially works on paper, see the permanent collection at the University of Victoria's Legacy Art Gallery.