k'aaxada awga - Shark Print By Tyson Brown of Skidegate

27. 5" in length x 22" wide, and limited to an edition of 95.

Tyson Brown - Skidegate

Iljuuwaas or Tyson Brown is a Haida artist from Skidegate, Haida Gwaii. He is a member of the Kayahl ‘Laanas clan of Ts'aahl. His artistic focus is on creating a relevant body of work, while preserving and perpetuating classical Haida design principles. The grandson of Skidegate artists Billy Stevens and Bill Reid, Tyson grew up surrounded by Haida art. As an adult, he completed a formal apprenticeship with renowned Haida artist, Robert Davidson. Tyson draws inspiration from nature, current events, and his people's history, stories, and collective values. He works in various mediums including design, paint, and sculpture.

The title of this print is, "k'aaxada , which means "shark" in Haida. I've always been fascinated by sharks - they are beautiful and intimidating at the same time.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, I was thinking about our tendency to fear the things we don't understand. However, when take the time to understand these things, fear often transforms into respect, and respect is a much healthier emotion to carry around. Minimizing the fear in our lives allows us to evolve and grow more honestly and freely. 

In this design, I used bold form to communicate the impact that fear has on our lives. The arrangement of the shark's features is meant to challenge the viewer's ideals of beauty and normalcy, while a focus on visual balance, both in form and colour, is intended to keep the viewer engaged.

If we make a point of looking for beauty in our lives, we will surely find it.