Northwest Coast Indian Painting: House Fronts and Interior Screens - Tapa dura

"Northwest Coast Indian Painting..". is eerily beautiful. This major contribution to the study of Northwest coast Indian art will quickly become a standard. With its colorful reproductions, "House Fronts and Interior Screens" is as much a treasure for the art lover as it will be for the sociologist. Edward Malin resurrects the American Indian art form of 'flat painting' that peaked on the Northwest coast more than a century ago. -- Virgil Rupp "East Oregonian" (03/17/2002)

The fascinating but nearly extinct native tradition of monumental house art in Alaska is richly documented in this sumptuous book. Through rare historical photographs and his own stunning renderings in vivid color, pioneering anthropologist Edward Malin captures the vanishing riches of Northwest Coast house front paintings and interior screen partitions. With abiding respect and wonder, Malin considers every aspect of the works and explores the ways of the Tlingit, Coast Tsimshian, Haida, Northern Kwakiutl, Southern Kwakiutl (Kwakwaka'wakw), Bella Coola (Nuxalk), Nuu chaa nulth, and the communities that nurtured them. For all admirers of native art, this book is an essential reference and thoughtful, in-depth guide.