Whale Figure c. 19th century

The Tlingit people created this 'Whale Figure', and it now resides in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The sculpture presents a vertical composition in which forms are stacked one atop another. Observe the interplay of positive and negative spaces that create the figures. Rounded forms transition from the bottom figure, characterized by smooth, flowing lines, to the upper figure with sharper, more angular contours. The overall effect is one of tension. Consider the choice of materials. The wood offers a tactile quality, and the grain enhances the visual texture. The application of colors – predominantly blacks, browns, and blues – might signal symbolic content, reflecting the Tlingit’s environment and spiritual beliefs. The work exists as a cultural signifier that destabilizes simple interpretations. The piece invites consideration of meaning as a cultural construct, reflecting the intersection of form and indigenous expression.