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tarkheki — Black Dragon
Published: 2010-12-02 22:16:18 +0000 UTC; Views: 2518; Favourites: 76; Downloads: 22
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Description
Commission for client.As many people don’t' know, part of the North West Pacific tradition of art, is asking permission. A lot of non community members think it's ok to randomly throw together something that looks "in the style" simply because they can, and the style is "cool".
This is NOT the case. Aboriginal art is very deep rooted in the cultural traditions, and many of them have specific rules as to how one draws something, portrays something, or if they even have the right to.
This is VERY hard for non-community members to understand because they live a life of self indulgence and entitlement.
I lived and worked within the community for 10+ years now, and if there is one thing I am STILL doing is asking permission. This NEVER stops.
When I opened my 10 slots, I was in Vancouver, visiting some friends in the local Community. I had the pleasure of going down to one of my friend’s houses and attending a family gathering, that included a lot of members from their community.
During my attendance, I had figured that I would try and “obtain” some permission to do some artwork that breached out of the “norm”. After all, this would be a perfect time, as when the Elders and family gets-together, and they ask if anyone has something to get out in the open... now’s my chance.
Push comes to shove, I asked, discussed, reasoned, and gifted [paid the price] to get the rights to do some stuff. But there were 2 instances I REALLY had to discuss my POV and this picture is a result of one of them.
Most of the Elders were not pleased with the idea that European folklore would be depicted in this style. When I asked about some of the supernatural beings, they plainly refused. It was only after I brought up the fact that another NWP artist- who is half Irish in decent- already broke that barrier to design a “Dragon”, did some of the Elders shift their consideration. Turns out, it wasn’t that they were against me doing it; simply, they wanted me to fight for it.
That too, is a cultural mentality.
So because I earned that right, I could post this with a quiet conscious, and silent heart.
The same will go for the next 2 images.
As far as the image execution is concerned- I deliberately wanted the wings to be offset in color so help with the silhouetting of the main body, as well as help with the directional flow of he image. I think it reads very well on both those areas.
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Comments: 38
I now feel compelled to go back through some of these and read your descriptions <3 The image itself is very powerful, and yet when you take the time to read through all the description, the power only grows stronger, and the image shines brighter.
Bravo.
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I'm humbled, REALLY I am. Thank you so much!
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As always, your art is most impressive.
However, "This is VERY hard for non-community members to understand because they live a life of self indulgence and entitlement" is a very ugly thought -- you have never even met me, yet you felt self-entitled to indulge yourself in stereotyping me and every other human being who is not a member of the North West Pacific aboriginal community. And you didn't bother to obtain any of our permissions about it, either.
"if there is one thing I am STILL doing is asking permission" but only when it comes to North West Pacific aboriginal community members? Others I insult at will? My respect for your work has gone down after reading this.
Think about it.
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Yes, PNW artwork is a touchy subject because it is part of their cultural heritage. I'm not certain who you're referring to in the "because it's cool" camp, but I have always fought to associate my identity with the PNW culture of my birth (I was born and raised in Juneau, Alaska, and though I am not native by blood, I identify with the PNW culture. How I look has nothing to do with what I ascribe to.) I would spit in the face of anyone who denied me what I feel deep down. I am and will continue studying the traditional art and learning the elements and the meanings, before I apply my own "style" within the tradition. I would take an apprenticeship if I thought it possible, but generally it isn't because of racial BS.
By the way, I never intend to commercially show or sell such artwork. I do not need permission to do it for my own personal, non-commercial reasons and beliefs, because I would continue doing it with or without.
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I love the more "weird" types of dragons such as this.
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I wouldn't know if I can call this dragon "weird"... it's the standard type of dragon, simply illustrated in an uncommon way.
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Well that's what I meant. Either way I love it.
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I'm enjoying the comments and the art pretty much, you've made me to put more effort into looking at this particular art since i'm not that familiar. Your POV and explanations about the mentality of some cultures.
I like this sort of mentality and the challenge this meant to get to draw this dragon. You make me respect what you did here, thank you :3
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Thank YOU for taking the time to read the descriptions, and learn form them! Very few people do. And we respect that!
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There is a lot of respect I can feel from your art. Thank you for reminding me that art can be (and probably was originally) a sacred form of expression that one should not carry out without reverence and care.
This black dragon can almost be Chinese, too. I thought it was at first because the wings weren't so obvious, it looks like it was just curled back upon itself, and there is a Black Dragon River (Heilong) and province where I grew up. Looks great!
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I actually don't' think it can be "Chinese" as at all, as the actual dragon design was based off a European dragon... but then again, considering the abstract design of it, I guess you could consider it whatever you want. XD
Until today there is a deep and profound respect and reverence when it comes to this particular art, and it's culture. That is why it has to be handled with diligence and care- and obviously, also has to be practiced with the proper etiquette observed!
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It's the same with Australian aboriginal art. There is a big uproar against "Australian aboriginal style tourist gifts" which have been done without permission, stolen from existing pieces or been underpaid or tricked into doing arts for low pay. There are special ways of portraying different animals, objects and places and you can collaborate and ask permission.
Your artwork is amazing and I'm glad you follow the customs and traditions. Keep up the great work!
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I did know there were distinct similarities actually, however I admit, I am not schooled in the way of their customs. Similarly though, we had the same complaints and issues over on this continent as well.
I thank you so muhc for being those who appreciate and support the concept of keeping up with the traditional aspect of the art. SO few people do, and would rather appropriate the style simply because they think "it looks good" and place a spiritual context on it that is far from reality. It's nice to know we still have level headed and fair people out there!
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My kyudo teacher once said that he wouldn't answer a question until it had been asked several times. That way, he knew you wanted to know the answer, not "was kind of interested, sort of" in the answer.
Good for you!
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I think your Kyudo teacher knew how much that WOULD make a difference in differentiating between those who want to know, and those who say they want to know. Clearly, it's a practice of any culture or person who wishes to truly test and instill a concept of endurance and persistence. And I admire everyone who does!
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It always hung me up because I thought to "keep asking" was being rude. I never knew what to do, be polite or keep pestering (and thus be annoying) until I got what I wanted.
Isn't "just answer the question" the simpler method? 'Course, the answer you give depends on what the questioner really wants to know, and there have to be better ways to discern that... at least, I'd hope so.
I find that giving a less-than-detailed answer satisfies people that "simply want 'an' answer" and that people who really want to know ask more questions... the determining of which kind of person you're dealing with is (I think) the point of the "I don't answer until they ask twice" system.
But I'm too much of a dyed-in-the-wool iconoclast to enjoy dealing with dyed-in-the-wool traditional systems. Whaddaya gonna do?
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You bring up exactly something I discussed with another young individual: What is considered "rude" in one culture, is actually "polite" in another, which can be deemed as "being dull of mind" in the third.
Part of understanding what is the right way to go about things, is to learn that fundamental in every unique culture [and situation], and then apply them. I personally am a "traditionalist" with "Modern" undertones... I don't like organized religion one bit, but I think the Ancient cultures and traditions have within them a knowledge that is invaluable [and quite often contradictory to organized religion]. But when it comes to dealing with territory that is not familiar [or mine], the best way to go about it, is by THEIR way. After all, what is the point of me observing a culture if my intent is just to change it? That is what Colonialism is about. XD
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I agree.
The challenge for me was (is) when my AMERICAN archery teacher decides to play by JAPANESE rules. Without me noticing or understanding. So, do I play by American rules or Japanese ones? And, since I barely understand Japanese rules, is "not giving up" earnest, or rude?
I don't mind playing along with the rules. I do mind being lost. Of course, that's not THEIR problem... but I'm not sure ANY culture likes "having to explain the rules" to apprentices. They like the apprentices to LEARN the rules, certainly, but tell them? That's not "how it's done..."
I was at an education conference where a presenter explained that she told the students how to get an A, and then gave them the A if she did what she asked of them. She caught flak from some of the attendees for "that's not how it's done!" Seems reasonable to me... but then again, I spend a lot of time programming, and if you let different modules "figure out" how to communicate with each other, you spend a lot of YOUR time fielding phone calls from irate users.
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Well, you have to admit, in your specific case there WAS a little confabulation,, as no one ever told you specifically which rules you were to play by. In the "Hybrid" situations (one ethnicity rules, different ethnicity teacher) it comes to pass far more often... which is why I like to seek out specific traditionally observing teachers to teach me what I want to know.
The question of being "rude" in your case hasn't to do with how you persist or not, since it is you who is deciding weather it [the rules] is right for you. It would become rude if you decided to persist, but demand a change in rules from the other side. That's the fine line... it's ok to err... we ALL do this, and most cultures are actually quite tolerant of making mistakes so long as you correct them... but it's not OK to demand the change or rules if you don't like the correction. XD
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HIS teacher was talking about Japanese kanji one day, and asked if we had any questions, and I said "The kanji 'mu' (nothingness) seems pretty complicated for something that's 'nothingness,' could you explain it?" He said, not very enthusiastically, "It's a house over water..." and said nothing else. MY teacher said later, "Well, he didn't feel like explaining it now. Maybe he'll talk about it when he wants to."
Now, if I had played the "prove my interest by keeping asking" card, I'd probably have been told to stick a sock in it (as it were) and stop pestering The Big Kahuna.
Hard to know which rules to play by... especially in a culture whose lifeblood is "context." I've begun to think that it's possible to HAVE learned to speak Japanese, but it's not possible TO learn it. After you've been in it for fifty years, you know what to do. But nobody will ever TELL you what to do.
Interesting system.
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Well, that WOULD be the nuances of the specific ethnicity. Some are more "rigid" than others.. but only can be considered "rigid" when compared to the culture we come form. SO it's more a question of if someone has the stomach to figure the nuances out, or find it to perplexing. Form what I deal with in my dojo.. Japanese culture DOES require a lot of subtle reading between the lines.. which is why an apprentice or "teachers aid" comes in handy before you do something you regret later. XD
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Thank you so much! It meas so much to me that you do.
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The concept of permission is interesting and made me think.
It also kind of chilled me because I drew one picture 'in style' a few years ago. I never asked for permission to draw something like an orca, mainly because I never knew. (Excuse, I know.)
[link]
I'm now uncertain as to what I should do with it.
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The reason it is “interesting” is because in the non-aboriginal community, it doesn’t exist. The problem with the colonial society is that it just entitles itself to whatever it wants, however it wants, without thinking about the cultural proprieties and the peoples they belong too. Hence, nearly 95% of all and any person attempting the indigenous styles [who are not indigenous themselves] simply think they are entitled to do so because it’s just “another style”. They are not taught to respect other cultures, and see what is directly involved with using or taking something form it. That would require too much “effort” and is unheard of in a society that indulges and over indulges on laziness and comfort. It’s this big streak of ignorance which is the basis to all the tension between the two cultures- sadly, even after it is taught, many colonials would still prefer to carry on their own way, regardless of their infringement.
One of the things I attempt to do with my art is teach about said cultures, their proprieties, and their rules and manners. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to heed out what they had to have done, or what they should do. I only hope that it will spark some kind of warning in people’s actions, and hopefully help them seek out the proper conduct and the cultures themselves- to learn directly from the Natives of the lands, and to perhaps realize that the Natives have a deep understanding of things far beyond the shallow materialism we have come to know.
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Every time I read one of your stories or explanations, I'm drawn to you and your art. You seem like such a wonderful Person. I think it is because of How your art comes to existence that draws me to it just as much as the Art it's self. Something like this, I would think was neat and cool and the like, and then be on my way, But knowing that it comes from such a place of reverence and care makes it seem so much more. Thank you for being who you are enough to share with us.
Also very well done! 
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I am VERY humbled by your compliment, and even more so that you assume I'm "a wonderful person" as a result... but I assure you, I'm just human, and have my faults, and there are those that think the polar opposite. So don't think me something out of this world, becuase I am not.
I AM humbled, however, that you took the time to read about the background of the image, and that you cared for the retelling of it. Many people have no concept of these cultural nuances, and they are so important when dealing with this culture.
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Good job gettin permission and what not (not fully sure I understand..) but good job anyway! *applause* love the style and it certainly is different ^^
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Basically, in this culture, you just can't do things "becuase you want to". In things that deal with the culture [perpetuation of it], you have to ask permission from the appropriate person in order to do something. This stems from a concept that everything done in the culture, reflects the culture, so therefor the people perpetuating the culture have to have earned the right by moral, ethic, or social status/doings to ensure that what will be done, will be done with the best reflection upon the culture.
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Oh I see. Very interesting perspective. too bad most of the world don't see it like that.
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Wow, knowing what went behind this makes it that much more meaningful. Lovely composition.
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A lot of people have told me this in reference to this peace. I am actually humbled and GLAD people are taking the time out to read the story and learn. Far too often I get people who just don't care enough, and they go on their way after viewing and end up saying or doing something stupid as a result. I'm VERY happy people care!
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the story got to me too. I am glad to hear that this piece came from such a meaningful place. I greatly admire this work.
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Thank you!
I try and relate over and over the importance of keeping cultural practices with cultural art... especially if they are aboriginal. Time and time again I tell what I have to go through to really exemplify why and what one needs to do what they do in order to get that proper permission. I appreciate it when people take the time to read it!
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Looks great Bernice!!
that's a great test, fight for what you want in life. In that particular case though I'd have failed
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Oh, and test us they do!
I think that's what I love about the culture the most.. you have to EARN everything. Through hard labor. Non of this entitlement crap that led us to where we are today- the more you put into it, the more you cherish or value your achievement to want to sully it so callously. I always say- KEEP ON FIGHTING!
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