Richard Shorty

Raven Stealing Sun 11 x 15

$55.00

limited edition silkscreen
11 x 15 in
Richard Shorty was born in 1959 into the Northern Tutchone First Nation. A self taught artist, Richard's unique style has a heavy influence of both traditional and contemporary design
Silkscreen printing, or simply "screen printing" refers to a printing process where a mesh is used to transfer ink onto the paper. The image is broken up into simple areas of colour which are put down one at a time by running a squeegee over the mesh, with all other areas blocked out with blocking stencil. This process works well for creating high contrasting and simplistic designs.
The story of Raven stealing the sun is an indigenous creation story that is believed to be Haida in origin. This story came to the Yukon through First Nation people following the salmon run along the river systems. The story varies according to region and First Nation. Ravens are important and revered creatures in the Yukon Territory, they are seen as a trickster and mischievous creator.
Raven created all people and animals, but they lived together in darkness. Raven hears of an old man's daughter who has two cedar boxes, each containing a sphere of light, one bright, one less so. Raven turns into a Hemlock needle and falls into the river where the girl drinks him. He transforms into a baby and is born to his much loving mother and grandfather who give him all he asks for. He asks to play with the boxes and the spheres inside, and opens the dim box and throws the orb through the smoke hole into the dark sky where it chips, creating the moon and the stars. His family are not happy but love him so much they forgive him. He transforms back into Raven the creator and takes the bright orb. Raven opens the box and gives light to the world by casting the sun high into the sky with his beak. The people are scared and scatter to the four corners of the globe, creating the earth as we know it today.

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Raven Stealing Sun 11 x 15