This is an earlier piece by Jim Charlie that depicts an elegantly carved Chief wearing a Killer Whale headdress in profile. Even at this early stage in his career, Charlie’s steady hand and knack for finishing pieces with a clean, smooth surface are apparent. One can also see his nascent affinity for Northern Northwest Coast 2-dimensional forms, which are the primary focus of his later work. Charlie’s utilization of the cedar grain to emphasize the Chief’s prominent cheek also creates an interesting relationship between the material and form of the plaque that enhances the overall image.

—Christopher W. Smith