Elton Lafontaine
Thunderbird
15" H
x 10" W x 9" D
This beautifully hand carved
mask is made by Elton Lafontaine. Elton has been carving for
thirteen years and his art is displayed all over, this mask is
made out of western red cedar and adorned with cedar bark.
Elton Lafontaine was born
into the Cree Nation of Regina, Saskatchewan in 1974. He's been
an artist ever since he can remember. Elton's work began in Saskatchewan
working with leather.
When he moved to British Columbia
as a young adult, he carved wood under the watchful eye of his
teacher and friend, Emile Thibert. He has also been influenced
by Willy Seaweed and Bill Reid. He has worked with many local
artist such as Carl Simeon, Cris Vanedig and Beau Dick.
Elton has adopted the bold
and bright style of the Kwagiulth Nation and he particularly
enjoys carving a variety of masks.
In the time long ago, it is
said that animals shared many of the same qualities as people.
Once a giant killer whale ate all the salmon in the ocean. Humans
began to starve. Although the chiefs begged the whale to leave,
it repeatedly mocked them. Finally, a congress of the greatest
chiefs was convened.
After a time, a great wind
blew in from the sea and lightning flashed, thunder roared. The
chiefs felt the presence of a great invisible spirit. "If
I were to help you, what will you do for me?” the spirit
asked. The chiefs promised, for all time, to reproduce the spirits
likeness as a sign of admiration and respect. Thus, satisfied
with their promises, Thunderbird appeared.
He was an enormous manifestation
with lightning flashing from his pointed talons and thunder rolling
from his sun-blocking wings. Snatching up the Killer Whale the
raptor spirit dropped it into the land where it solidified into
a mountain. Native carvers have kept their word ever since.
