25" x 24" (in original frame)

1977

Edition 86/100

Memorial Rainbow Drum was conceived in relation to a memorial potlatch for Hyacinth David Sr. Joe originally painted a different version of this design on a drum which was given away at the potlatch. The figures represent a man transforming into a raven form, the old transformation masks which opened up to reveal an inner figure. It is shown with the rainbow flashing across the wings of the raven. The rainbow is often used as a symbol of transition between life and death in old Nuu-chah-nulth painting. The incredible continuity between the rainbow curvatures carried through the lower part of the design make this print very dynamic visually.