This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.
FREE SHIPPING within Canada on $200 OrdersFLAT RATE $10 Shipping to USA on $200 Orders
Zoom Native fine art print called Oceans of Wealth by indigenous artist Andy Everson
Zoom Close up Native fine art print called Oceans of Wealth by indigenous artist Andy Everson

Oceans of Wealth

$400.00
Subscription Save

Print Method: Giclée
Edition: 25
Released: June 2011

You can often see these robes in movement in our Big Houses. They are garments meant to be worn and meant to be used. Covered with appliqué, buttons and beads to show the crests of the wearer, they are meant to tell a story and are meant to tell where a person is from. As the dancers move, they flow like waves upon an ocean of wealth.

My ancestry is mixed and I make no effort to neither hide nor deny it--it is part of who I am. My genetic makeup largely comes from England, from Norway, from the Pentlatch and from the Kwaguł and the ‘Na̱mg̱is of the Kwakwaka’wakw. Some of my ancestors fought in the War of the Roses, the War of Independence and the American Civil War. Some were literally Kings and Queens of England, while many many more were peasants trying to find a way to survive. Many were nobility amongst our people here and some were even slaves. I have a very rich history and as I think back in time, my mind becomes lost in these oceans of wealth.

When the first Europeans set foot on these territories, they were confronted with a rich and complex economic system centered on the potlatch. Interest-bearing loans were a regular and frequent activity amongst my ancestors. Shield-like items--called “t̕łaḵwa”--made from native copper were used to build up wealth. The “copper” was composed of three main parts: the “u’gwa̱mi” (upper part or face), the ”ga’lasi” (crosspiece, backbone or T) and the “uxsti” (lower sides or ribs). When a chief wished to insult his rivals, he would break a corner off his copper and present the broken segment to his enemy. The onus would be on the rival to return a piece of equal or greater value in order to save face. Coppers used in many quarrels would only have the T-shaped backbone remaining to represent its role in the oceans of wealth.

The copper-clad hulls of the large European vessels looked quite attractive to the people of the Northwest Coast. Large sheets could be easily attained through trade--eventually replacing native copper in the making of t̕łaḵwa. People from Spain, England, and “Boston” descended on this area with greater frequency in the pursuit of wealth. Looking for sea otter furs for the lucrative Chinese market, they were more than happy to trade just about anything to get it: woolen blankets, buttons, firearms and metals. As our people became more and more wealthy, potlatching became even more frequent and elaborate. Rivalries were created and coppers were broken--it was a heated and tumultuous time as my ancestors rode on these oceans of wealth.

In this piece, I pay tribute to the elaborate button blankets of my ancestors: the borders are very similar to my grandmother’s favourite “ḵ̓a̱ngex̱tola“ and the coppers in the central field pay homage to another that was in her box of treasures. Both are now in museums. It is no coincidence that the coppers get more and more broken as they get closer to the ship--there will always be waves when two opposing economies converge upon oceans of wealth.

“Oceans of Wealth” is a limited edition print using the giclée method of printmaking. This print was released in June of 2011 and printed by Andy Everson at Copper Canoe, the artist’s own studio in Comox B.C. A total of 28 prints bear the title “Oceans of Wealth” and are signed by Andy Everson: 25 in the primary edition bearing the numbers 1/25 through 25/25; 2 Artist’s Proof; and 1 Printer’s Proof. The acid-free Moab Entrada 100% cotton rag paper measures 17x22 inches. Image size measures about 14x20 inches.

Oceans of Wealth

$400.00

FAQ

Apparel Return & Exchange Policy

Not quite right? That’s OK. You can return online purchases by mailing it back to us:

Totem Design House
3250 Comox Rd
Courtenay, BC
V9N3P8

*Please Note: We do not pay for return shipping* 

For apparel returns or exchanges, items must not be washed, worn or damaged. All original tags must be attached.

Regular-Priced Merchandise

Within 14 days of the shipping date: you can exchange your item or receive a refund to the original method of payment. After 14 days: you can exchange your item. After 20 days: we will no longer accept returns or exchanges.

Sale Merchandise

Within 14 days of the shipping date: you can exchange your item. Sorry, no refunds on sale or discounted items.

Return Refund & Processing

Your refund will be credited to the original method of payment

All refunds will be processed within 7 business days of receipt of your return package.

Problems With Your Order?

Received a damaged package?

Fortunately, we have not encountered more than a couple damaged orders, but please note Totem Design House is NOT responsible for damage during shipping. Please contact Canada Post and proceed with insurance process with the following link: Canada Post Insurance Claim

Shipping Delays: We are not responsible for shipping delays. Once orders are dropped off at Canada Post, packages are literally out of our hands and we have no more access to tracking than what the customer has.  Use this link to submit a service ticket direct with Canada Post, as we unfortunately, are unable to assist you.

Click here for Canada Post Service Ticket 

Order Cancellations

In cases when we are sold out on products and the order cannot be fulfilled, Totem Design House reserves the right to cancel the order and issue an immediate refund to the customer.

Return Policy

ABSOLUTELY NO RETURNS/EXCHANGES ON ART PRINTS, JEWELRY, AND SALE ITEMS.

Shipping

Fast shipping

Orders typically ship next business day

EXCEPTION: Large acrylic and canvas art pieces can take up to 3 weeks for production and we are not responsible for delays in shipping of those items.

Order tracking

Get tracking updates to follow your order until it arrives.

Get in touch

Questions about fit, fabrics, etc? Shoot us a message!

Cart

No more products available for purchase

Your cart is currently empty.