by Marika Swan

“This is an limited edition, archival quality giclee print of a wood block print layered with acrylic painting.  

We have huge grandma and grandpa cedar trees on the coast, they have been standing watch for over a thousand years, slowly and steadily reaching for the sun's rays. They entomb within them the leftovers from all parts of westcoast life. Bears will eat the salmon out of the rivers and leave the bones to fertilize the soil. An honourable burial for our people is to be put in a cedar box  and left in arms of these huge trees.  

We were a whaling people and each whale provided our people with so much sustenance. Each part of the whale could be used for so many purposes. Even though we no longer whale, they are a part of our root system. I wanted to honour the contribution they made to our culture, spirituality and families with every life they offered us. 

Deep in Our Bones is a part of a series of woodblock prints exploring my people's natural and supernatural relationship with whales.”