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Artworks
STEPHEN BRUCE (1968-) KWAKWA̱KA̱ʼWAKW, ALERT BAY, B.C.
Thunderbird Mask, 1998red cedar wood, cedar bark, and acrylic paint, 14.5 x 25 x 11 in (36.8 x 63.5 x 27.9 cm), measurements reflect dimensions without fringe.
dated, titled, inscribed, and signed, "98 / Thunderbird / Alert Bay / BC / Stephen / Bruce".LOT 20
ESTIMATE: $1,200 — $1,800
PRICE REALIZED: $1,708.00Further images
This mask, a striking example of his work, features a large, protruding beak painted in a vibrant orange. The beak, equipped with a hinge and a black string, allows it...This mask, a striking example of his work, features a large, protruding beak painted in a vibrant orange. The beak, equipped with a hinge and a black string, allows it to articulate, adding a lifelike quality to the mask. Carved ears curl at the top and densely piled cedar bark cascades down, framing the mask with a natural texture. This piece, monumental in size at over 2 feet wide, is a testament to the skill of the artist, Stephen Bruce.
A masterful carver, trained by prominent artists Beau Dick and Wayne Alfred, Stephen Bruce has made significant contributions to Indigenous art, including an 18-foot totem pole for the Mitsui Corporation in Tokyo and participating in the design and construction of a ceremonial longhouse in Alert Bay, BC. His skilled craftsmanship is also evident in the creation of three poles near the U’mista Cultural Centre.
Provenance
Private Collection, Ontario;
by descent in the family.
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