Richmond BC, Canada #richmondartgallerybc
In Mystical Whorl No. 3, Susan Point draws from her vast knowledge of Coast Salish beliefs, practices, and aesthetics in her celebration of the spindle whorl. She employs a combination of trigons, triangular forms that Point extends and curves to suggest the wings, horn, tail, and beak of the mythical thunderbird, and crescents to imply the bird’s face, claws, and the tips of its plumage. She skillfully juxtaposes positive and negative spaces of these shapes to create the silhouette of the bird, rather than simply drawing its literal form. The circular arrangement and elongation of shapes to form the thunderbird, a significant supernatural creature in Coast Salish cosmology, would create a mesmerizing image if applied to a spinning disc. In this print, Point’s design evokes not only whorl’s metaphysical importance, but also its essential function as a spinning object.
A continual source of inspiration and focus for Susan Point’s extensive body of work, the spindle whorl is typically crafted from the richly grained wood of maple or alder trees. It has long been a cherished tool of Coast Salish women for transforming wool from woolly dogs and later sheep, into strands of yarn in order to weave clothing and blankets. The disc traditionally features a surface with carved decorative elements. A hole at the centre of the disc cradles the spindle rod, allowing the spinning process to occur. Through her homage to this tool throughout her oeuvre, Point not only celebrates Coast Salish culture but also makes visible the value of the creative contributions of Coast Salish women.
Biography
Susan Point, a widely acclaimed and prolific Musqueam artist has devoted a substantial opus dedicated to the humble spindle whorl, a tool associated with weaving, traditionally a woman’s work. Using this powerful motif, she has created sculptures out of a wide range of materials, as well as prints on paper, which have been widely exhibited and collected. In 2006, Point was awarded Officer of the Order of Canada (OC) for her outstanding achievement and service to Canada,
– Maria Filipina Palad
Collection Close-up
Collection Close-up is an ongoing initiative where we highlight a work from the Permanent Collection, which has a formal or thematic link to the featured exhibitions. The Gallery acquired Mystical Whorl No. 3 in 1987.
