Liz Parker

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

“A Young Lady with Crow Blanket” is an imaginary portrait informed by historic photos and traditions. This work is an attempt to capture the sense of mystery emblematic of a past culture while at the same time exploring connections and influences that are interpreted and expressed through modern eyes. My hope is that this young lady may convey something of that sense of mystery and piece found in ordinary moments of reflection while simultaneously hinting at something both more substantial and elusive. 

Her blanket is adorned with the images of the crow and an open hoop. The crow or thunderbird represents the source of the Crow peoples name. It is easy to image the flying bird as a symbol of freedom. The thunderbird may have a more interesting interpretation than this personification. 

The Menominee have a legend of a great mountain in the sky where the thunderbirds dwell. They have supernatural abilities, are messengers of the Great Sun, influenced the Sun and Morning Star to give their great war bundle to the people, delight in fighting and great deeds, are enemies of the horned serpents and protect mankind from them. The Passamaquoddy described the Thunderbirds as men who lived on high magical mountains, and put on their wings when it was time to go somewhere. They also describe a man who’s body was ponded in a mortar and reformed into a thunderbird and he now protects his people.  From my perspective these sound like angels. Although many legends have odd details and discrepancies that couldn’t line up perfectly to make them into allegories based on biblical revelations, I believe there are grains of truth. We shouldn’t be surprised that God speaks to and moves in various people lives through all the ages, and so we have overlap that agree with the biblical narrative. Whether through individuals experiences directly interacting with the Creator or through a common root event, these get handed down to us through ancestral stories. It is easy for me to imagine the similarities between Christianity and these legends and hope it is not simply my bias. These links certainly make them more meaningful for me. 

The hoop is somewhat of an appropriation on my part. Historically Native American artists would use an opening in a pattern represent freedom, choice or a way out. To the modern eye a hoop or circle may be associated with a portal or doorway. By incorporating a break into the hoop I think it could also be used to illustrate an opening or way in, a vision or more specifically a heavenly vision, as the contrary would be closed with no way out. I like this interpretation and it makes me feel that I have made it my own with this small variation.

This sculpture is hand carved from a solid piece of tree of heaven wood using chisels and mallet. The process involves many stages over the course of two years, starting with the bulking down of green wood, drying over winter, final carving and finishing touches. Even when I’ve finished a piece I like to let it sit on the shelf for another week or two, allowing myself the time to see if it is really done and I am satisfied with the work.

Item Details:

$7100.00 Price includes shipping

Original One of a Kind Sculpture

Hand carved in red oak, finished with gesso, acrylic and colored pencil

Approximate Measurements: 16.5” tall x 9” wide x 9.5” deep

Signed on the bottom and on the back

Ships in a crate

Worldwide shipping

Certificate of Authenticity included

30 day return period from delivery date

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