"This bentwood box combines my Northwest Coast Indigenous and Greek cultural heritage together in one piece. Steam-bent boxes are specific to Northwest Coast First Nations, and through the painted Greek evil eye designs this box unites the two together. This piece is inspired by a recent trip to Greece.

The concept of the 'evil eye' or 'mati' (μάτι) is an ancient and deeply ingrained belief in Greek culture, as well as other cultures dating back thousands of years. This superstition centers around the belief that a malevolent glare or envious gaze can bring misfortune, illness, or harm to those it is directed towards. This harmful intent can be fueled by jealousy, admiration, or even unintentional negative thoughts and feelings. To counteract the perceived threat of the evil eye, various protective symbols are used such as the iconic 'mati,' a blue-and-white eye. These protective eyes are believed to ward off malicious glares and safeguard against the potential harm they may bring. People often wear or display these amulets in various forms, from jewelry to home decor, as a form of protection for themselves, their loved ones, and their possessions. The evil eye and its protective counterpart, the eye-shaped amulet, continue to be significant elements of Greek culture. 

This box is painted in traditional mati colours of blue and white covering the entire box. A mati pendant made from Greek olive wood hangs from the center of the box’s lid as extra protection when the box lid is lifted. The purpose of this box is to deflect the evil eye and protect the owner of the box from the mati."

-Rachel Smith