The appearance of a third dimension is made where the two dimensional form line design is wrapped around a half cylinder. The form line proportions run from thick to thin in a curvilinear pattern and connect and outline the basic shapes used throughout this style of art. The ovoid or rounded rectangle is the most characteristic shape used and may delineate a variety of things including the head of a human or creature, eye sockets, or major joints. They may help form the shape of a wing, tail, fluke, or fin. Small ovoids may contain faces or indicate eyes, ears, noses, the blow hole for a whale, or simply fill empty spaces and corners.
Color is one of the great unifying characteristics of the art.
Colors were limited to a few natural pigments made from salmon eggs, hematite, and other minerals, and European trade did little to change the choice of colors. Click here for descriptions of the 14 totem poles at Totem Bight State Historical Park. For more information Alaska State Park Southeast Area Office 400 Willoughby, 4th Fl. All Rights Reserved.