Simon Dick (First Nations Canadian, Kwakwaka'wakw, b. 1951), Textile Button Blanket, ca. late 20th century CE. A beautiful button blanket or crest-style robe created by award winning artist Simon Dick, appliqued with a Tree of Life design comprised of black wool felt and red suede-like red fabric, and a patterned flannel collar as well as dozens of identical white buttons. The motif often denotes the wearer's clan or family affiliation, and the blanket is worn like a cape for ceremonial dances and potlatches. Besides the imagery, the construction of the blanket is symbolic: the red borders represent the planks of the longhouse surrounding a door (the black field) that leads inside the longhouse, and the cotton panel is the hole where the smoke exits the longhouse. This area also aligns with the wearer's back of their neck. Size: 60" W x 59" H (152.4 cm x 149.9 cm)

In the book "Robes of Power: Totem Poles on Cloth" (1995), Sargent and Jensen include a photograph of artist Simon Dick and his mother, Gertrude, holding another "Tree of Life" button blanket (figure 23) - similar to this one though not as old according to the current owner -with the following text, "Simon Dick was born a Kwagiutl in 1951 at Alert Bay, B.C. In ancient times, he might have grown up to be a medicine man. He was raised in the village of Kingcome, where the traditional lifestyle is still present. His knowledge of his culture stems from the teachings of the elders of the Kwak'wala dialect, in which he is fluent. He is the grandson of hereditary chiefs on both sides of his family. An excellent carver, he has produced bowls, masks, poles, and assisted with a canoe for Expo 86. A traditional dancer, he has not only potlatched but also performed internationally. He now makes his home in Vancouver, where he has a studio."

Simon Dick was born in an isolated coastal village in British Columbia. During his early childhood years, he lived the traditional lifestyle of his Kwicksutaineuk and Nax was dawx ancestors, learning teachings of his elders in the Kwakwaka'wakw dialect, in which he is fluent. He was initiated into the Hamatsa secret society when he became an adolescent. In 1964 his family moved to Alert Bay on the coast of Vancouver Island when Dick was in this teens. There he learned from master carvers, in particular apprenticing to Chief Tony Hunt Sr. - a renowned Kwakwak'wakw artist - at the Arts of the Raven gallery in Victoria British Columbia for four years. Dick is a world renowned master carver and works in other media as well including textiles and silver. Simon's life work and art has always been focused on the preservation of his culture. According to the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver: "My interest in traditional carving goes way back. As a child our house was less than 100 feet from a 40-foot pole carved for the memory of King George VI. The Thunderbird on the top was carved by Willie Seaweed of Blunden Harbour. I would stare at this beautiful monument and dream that someday I may acquire the gift to carve like my ancestors. I would visit carvers in their homes and ask questions about certain characters. I would visit Dick Hawkins, Art Lagis, Charlie Willie, Jack James...they were all such wonderful teachers. In later years, moving to Alert Bay, I witnessed the construction of a traditional ceremonial house. I was greatly influenced by the guidance of Chief James Sewid, Henry Speck, James Dick, Charlie George and Blackie Dick, and so many more. In my early twenties, I apprenticed under Tony Hunt for four years in Victoria. I also studied under Sam Henderson of Campbell River. Many of my mentors have gone before me, and now it is my turn to continue on my journey, to carve, sing and dance."

Provenance: private Alamo, California, USA collection, before 2000

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#180660

There is a 1" hole to the lower right of the blanket/robe. A few minor and cleanable stains and needs a lint roller due to storage, otherwise in great condition.