Beneath the open sky, the Land Otter Pole at the Denver Art Museum whispers tales of the Haida people. This isn’t just a static sculpture. It’s a storyteller carved from wood. The Totem Pole embodies history and artistry.
Let’s delve into the story of this remarkable object. The Land Otter Pole dates back to 1870. Haida artist Dwight Wallace, also known as Gid K’wáajuss, created it in Alaska Sukkwan. Today that is Saxq’wa.áan.
This house frontal pole served as a symbol. It narrated stories important to the Haida. The Denver Art Museum acquired it in 1946. The University of Pennsylvania Museum gifted it.
The journey of this Totem Pole to Denver is fascinating. Artist John Wallace sent this pole and another from Sukkwan to San Francisco. This was for the 1939 “Indian Court” exhibition. Frederic Douglas, Rene d’Harnoncourt and Henry Klumb organized the event. Douglas was a Denver Art Museum curator.
After the exposition, John Wallace sold the poles. The Fairmount Park Association in Philadelphia bought them. They then gave them to the University of Pennsylvania Museum. Frederic Douglas then urged the Penn Museum to give them to Denver.
Standing at 345 inches tall, this Totem Pole commands attention. It’s crafted from wood. Its width is 38 inches and its depth is 30 inches. This artwork resides in the Native Arts department. It is part of the Indigenous Arts of North America collection.
Another significant piece is the Memorial Pole. It stands nearby. This pole tells a different kind of story. It depicts a grandmother. She taught the children of the clan. The grandmother holds a medicine man’s cane. She wears a spruce-root hat. A frog figure sits at the bottom. The old woman taught her grandchildren not to harm any living thing. She even cured a boy who teased frogs.
This Memorial Pole might have honored Dwight’s wife and John’s mother. Originally, it was larger. Parts were removed over time. Like the Land Otter Pole, it journeyed from Alaska to San Francisco. Then it went to Philadelphia before arriving in Denver.
Consider the artistry. Think of the stories embedded in the wood. These Totem Poles offer a glimpse into Haida culture. They connect us to the past. They remind us of the importance of storytelling. The Totem Pole stands as a testament to cultural preservation. It is a reminder of the rich heritage of indigenous communities.
These poles aren’t mere decorations. They are cultural treasures. The Denver Art Museum provides a home for these significant works. They ensure that these stories continue to be told for generations. The Totem Pole links Alaska’s past with Denver’s present.