© David Neel

The paintings of the Legend Series represent a new direction in my work. Coming from a family of Kwagiutl artists and having apprenticed in the traditional way, I have come to believe that art, even traditional art, will always move forward and cannot be held back. I believe that the commonly accepted traditional forms that we see in northwest coast Native (NWC)  art were once new and evolved over time. What we now refer to as "tradition" is a foundation to build upon, not a set of rules to limit our creativity.

These paintings are built upon this premise and serve to underline the relevance of NWC art as a contemporary medium of expression. They incorporate visual elements and ideas from other cultures with traditional Native ideas. In this way they serve to examine some of the foundational elements of NWC art: form, color palette, bilateral symmetry, and subject matter.  Some time ago I began to research the ancient stories and legends of my people, the Kwakiutl. I found that we have a great number of myths and characters, many of which have nearly been lost to the past. I wanted to bring these rich allegories to life, in a way that would be both engaging and relevant to a modern audience. Out of this developed a new vision that has its roots in traditional NWC art, but does not share the limitations that have been imposed today.

 Characters, like “Quenakalak”- the Transformer, are painted with the freedom and imagination that reflect the drama of his personality and deeds. The quest for supernatural power is a common recurring theme in our legends; how does one portray something so ethereal? Paint on canvas, with its limitless boundaries for invention and expression, has proven to be the ideal medium. Within the borders set by the four corners of the canvas, I have developed a world which is capable of containing all the ancient characters and their brave and treacherous deeds. Through these paintings, I strive to breathe life into rich and timeless stories, that have become dim memories.