Bear

A carved sculpture of a bear.

Soapstone
Approx. 11 x 6 x 14 cm

WILLIAM SKYE Ga’gweniyoh (Hanging Moon) was born on July 15, 1975. Willy belongs to the Snipe Clan of the Seneca. He started sculpting at the age of 16.  He observed his cousins carving at an early age and he was most influenced by Steve Powless, a well-known Mohawk carver. His favorite images to carve are eagles, wolves and bears. Once he starts a sculpture, he likes to listen to traditional songs and chants, to help focus his mind and direct his energy. He is a respected Lacrosse coach having won many tournaments across North America. 
Ohsweken is the name of the Six Nations Territory just south of Brantford, in southern Ontario. It has a population of approximately 21,000, half of whom live on-reserve with the other half living in various other parts of Canada. It is home to the Haudenosaunee, People of the Longhouse, who belong to six different nations, the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and the Tuscarora.

Contemporary Haudenosaunee sculpture has roots in the religion, legends and history of the Haudenosaunee. Sculptures may depict legends or historic events or they may be artistic compositions that incorporate symbols of Haudenosaunee society. In the past when all information had to be passed on orally, much was left to the skill and imagination of the creator and the audience. Today, these carvings also act as visual aids for legends. The False Faces in stone depict the same forces and spiritual qualities as the Masks. Popular figures that appear in the carvings are eagles, turtles, wampum belts, and the False Face Mask. Young sculptors are not averse to expressing their ideas in a more contemporary, even abstract style.

Although early sculptures were fashioned in any stone that was workable, steatite (soapstone) has become the favorite material in which to carve. It is a soft stone with a wide range of colouring. The artists generally use basic hand tools although some may employ an electric drill. Part or all of a sculpture usually has a coating of clear acrylic to make the colours in the stone more visible. Some of the younger artists will also work in other materials such as alabaster or catlinite.