K'woiyeng, Yahgujanaas, S'itkwuns

Place: Klinkwan Village

Born: 1842

Death: 1926

Biography:

K'woiyeng, Yahgujanaas, S'itkwuns

was a renowned First Nations basket weaver from Haida Gwaii, who lived in the United States from 1842 to 1926. She is also known by her Haida names K'woiyeng, Yahgujanaas, and S'itkwuns. Born in Klinkwan Village, Alaska, she was a member of the Yakulanas lineage of the Haida clan.

Early Life and Family

Isabella Edenshaw, as she was also known, was an only child, but her parents adopted a slave girl named Wiba as a playmate for her. Her parents died of smallpox when she was young, and she was raised by chief Albert Edward Edenshaw. She married Charles Edenshaw in a traditional Haida ceremony around 1873 and later converted to Christianity, marrying again in an Anglican service on December 27, 1885, at St John's Church in Masset.

Artistic Career

Isabella wove spruce roots into baskets and hats, which were later painted by her husband. Her artistic style was characterized by the use of concentric diamonds motif, four-ply twining, and a distinctive brim finish. The U.S. Department of the Interior Museum holds one of her notable works, Haida Basketry Hat, which showcases her exceptional weaving skills. Some of her known artworks include:

• 31 hats
• 7 mats
• 7 baskets

These pieces are decorated with various motifs, including frogs, ravens, sharks, whales, beavers, and sea lions. Her work has been exhibited at the Vancouver Art Gallery and the British Columbia Museum of Anthropology.

Legacy

Isabella's legacy as a First Nations artist is significant, with her work appearing in various exhibitions and collections. Her daughter, Florence Davidson, also became a prominent Canadian artist. Isabella's artistic style and techniques have been well-documented, providing valuable insights into the traditional Haida art forms. To learn more about K'woiyeng, Yahgujanaas, S'itkwuns and her artwork, visit https://Wikioo.org/@/K-woiyeng-Yahgujanaas-S-itkwuns. For a deeper understanding of her life and art, see the Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_Edenshaw. Explore her notable works, including Haida Basketry Hat, at https://Wikioo.org/@@/D7SCUS-K-woiyeng-Yahgujanaas-S-itkwuns-Haida-Basketry-Hat.