Thitikorn Chansasitorn
tchansasitorn@zagmail.gonzaga.edu
"The Sun Mask"
"Sinxolata, the Sun" by Dale Faulstich, Contemporary Northwest Coast Art (Stonington Gallery)
This mask was hand-carved from red cedar. In the Northwest Coast, the Sun symbol represents life-giving abundance, and also explains the origin of life for Nuxalk people. The face represents the Maker of All Things, in the form of Snx, the Sun. Radiating from his face are the Four Supernatural Carpenters who carved all the wonders of Earth, including the first human beings. The Nuxalk people believed there were several worlds layered above each other, the human world and the Sky World. They believed the center world was where the Nuxalk lived in human form. Above that realm is the Sky World, where spirits dwell in a large house called Nusmat'a, the Land of Creation. The most powerful deity among the spirits was Atlguntam: this being was not created but rather always existed. Because of this, the image of the sun was often used to depict Atlguntam to dramatize his power. Atlguntam ultimately created four brothers, who would shape lands, flora and fauna and carve the first humans. They are responsible for the arts and culture of the Nuxalk People.
(Sources: Nuxalk Origin of Life)