Bear Mother (1986) - Limited Edition Print
Bear Mother (1986) - Limited Edition Print
18" x 13 1/2"
Edition of 225
1986
This print is part of Lattimer Gallery's Through the Decades: Late 20th Century Haida Printmaking show, taking place online from March 15th-29th, 2025.
There are many variations of the Bear Mother story. One such story tells of a young woman who is berry picking in the forest with friends, when she accidentally steps into a pile of bear dung. Reacting in disgust, she makes a rude comment about bears. The bears overhear and resent this insulting remark. The woman keeps stopping to repair the broken strap of her berry-picking basket and is separated from her friends. Two young men, actually a bear prince and his companion, offer to escort the woman out of the forest. Instead, they take her to their family's home where she is made welcome. In time, she marries the bear prince and gives birth to two cubs. Her human family, however, have never stopped searching for her. Each of her four brothers tries in turn to save her. The youngest brother finally succeeds in killing her husband. The woman and her two sons, now transformed into their human form, return to the village. Many First Nations people from the West Coast who hold Bear as their crest symbol connect their lineage to this myth, which warns against impetuousness.?ÿ
Don Yeomans
CULTURAL GROUP:
Haida
BORN:
1958
BIRTHPLACE:
Prince Rupert, BC
Don Yeomans carves jewellery in gold and silver, and he also produces limited edition prints, poles, and sculptures in wood and glass. He was introduced to Northwest Coast art by late Haida artist Freda Diesing. In 1976, he studied at Langara College in the Fine Arts program. Don then apprenticed under accomplished Haida artist Robert Davidson. His design The Frog People Fleeing from the Black Bear was chosen to be included in the Northwest Coast Indian Artists’ Guild graphic collection. In 1978, he helped Robert Davidson produce four totem poles for the Charles Edenshaw Memorial Longhouse in Masset, BC. In the 1980s, Don completed a two-year apprenticeship with celebrated Gitksan artist Phil Janzé. He learned engraving, chasing, casting, and repoussé techniques during this time. In 2007, Don received a commission to create a 40-foot totem pole at the Vancouver International Airport. In 2008, he carved a 20-foot totem for the McMichael Gallery's permanent collection, which interwove traditional iconography and totemic animals with different modern modes of communication, including a cell phone, laptop, and an MP3 player. Don has become one of the most accomplished Haida artists working today.
