PRASTSHACKER on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/prastshacker/art/Bloc-Anthropology-197686676PRASTSHACKER

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Bloc Anthropology

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I wanted to produce a character to reflect, or at best represent the native resistance movement in western Canada. The contemporary lifestyle of native youth in British Columbia is one that is often politically charged as they are the product of a century of oppression and institutionalized elimination through assimilation. Up until barely 60 years ago, many cultural institutions, such as the Potlatch, were illegal. Furthermore, tensions continue today as land treaties are not respected. As a result, many first nations and especially the native population of Vancouver is one that is stricken by substance addiction and poverty. Among the urban native youth of Vancouver, radical political resistance movements have risen in response to strife through anarchism. It is not uncommon to be in East Van and find wheat-pastes and posters promoting events and rallies in solidarity for native rights([link] [link] [link] [link] [link] [link] [link] [link]). One spectacular event that particularly inspired me were the riots and demonstrations that occurred during the 2010 Winter Olympics, as many supporters descended upon downtown Vancouver in the symbolic form of anarchy, the black bloc ([link] [link] [link]). This inspired the appearance of my character and besides that I could just go on and on about the other iconography in the image, but to be succinct, the maskéhead of the figure is based on the aesthetic of the Kwakwaka'wakw nation. The head represents a supernatural man eating bird, mostly the Huxhugwaxtawe form albeit having traits of other forms (ie: Gwaxgwakwalanuksiwe), to represent not only a humourous take on the EAT THE RICH proclamation but in the ritualistic destructive dance like nature many black bloc rioters are captured in through photography and video. While using the form of raven, a trickster sort of totem, I also borrowed some aesthetic from the thunderbird to give representation to the intelligence, power and wrath of the anarchist and his motivations. While I acknowledge the character is Kwakwaka'wakw and residing in Coast Salish, specifically Musqueam territory (Vancouver), it is on purpose to reflect the contemporary reality of many native youth from British Columbia and Canada migrating from their reserves to the major cities for many personal reasons. Regardless, this was an exercise not only to work in something new and aesthetically exciting but to further deepen my understanding of my own regional history.
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lazyitis's avatar
This is amazing! I love the mixture of ancient/modern influences. You've definitely made something fresh here. Keep at it!