• Publication Year:
• 2022

This limited edition print, titled, The Elders, shows Eagle and Raven. These birds are two of the most important creatures featured in Northwest Coast art and form part of many clan crests all up and down the Pacific Northwest coast. On Haida Gwaii, where Trevor Husband grew up, the Eagle and Raven clans are the only clans to survive colonization.

“Raven is in many creation myths, they are the trickster and are constantly trying to even out the balance of power by antagonizing powerful chiefs and conceited warriors. Raven gets into things they shouldn’t, and in doing so brings illumination to the people.

Eagle flies the highest and so is closest to Creator. Eagle is righteous and stoic, and teaches us to do the right thing with all our power and strength. Eagle models good behaviour, while Raven shows us wisdom through their folly.

I find that these figures are present in many other cultures’ mythology. Eagle and Raven could be Thor and Loki. Buffalo and Coyote. God and Lucifer. There are opposing energies between the two, but together they bring a balance to the world. And these energies are old, have been here since the beginning. That’s why I named this piece “The Elders”, because they have been working for the people since the beginning to help us stay in balance.”
– Trevor Husband