Simon Dick is a Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw artist, Kwak’wala speaker, and culture bearer primarily known for his contemporary masks and the exceptional, pastel-coloured paints that he utilizes. This mask is a bit of a departure from that and represents a much more customary mask style in its painting and subject matter. This anthropomorphic bird mask represents the Grouse, which “is one of the key characters in the Atlakim ceremony and acts as a caller for the other spirits” [1]. The Grouse mask is a striking image with bold contrasts between the black, brown, and red paints and the white paint undercoat. The nose is rendered in a strong beak and the lips are pursed as if calling or singing. The mask is surrounded by shredded red cedar bark and white down feathers, all of which culminate in a protruding crest on the top of the head. There is a very similar mask to the one being offered here in The Burke Museum at the University of Washington (2004-2/204).

1. National Museums Scotland. https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/global-arts-cultures-and-design/kwakwaka-wakw-masks/

Christopher W. Smith