Rectangular wooden plaque with carved MIYA (fish) in the center. The frame is of dark red cedar, while the miya is of lighter-coloured alder. Corners are rounded. Back has a thread strung between two hooks in order to hang it. Piece is an example of Wilson's early carving that made use of scrap wood from larger projects.
Rectangular wooden plaque with carved MIYA (fish) in the center. The frame is of dark red cedar, while the miya is of lighter-coloured alder. Corners are rounded. Back has a thread strung between two hooks in order to hang it. Piece is an example of Wilson's early carving that made use of scrap wood from larger projects.
Physical Condition
Good
Material
cedar
alder
Technique
carved
Culture
Haisla
Condition Remarks
Two scrapes in the wood - one on the upper frame and one on the background above the back fin - caused when case lid fell on it while being lowered by staff, March 6th 2024.
Some scratches in the wood on the back.
Height
2 cm
Width
20 cm
Length
35.3 cm
Date Range
1992-1994
Accession Number
2021.9.3
Biographical Notes
Lyle Wilson (b. 1955) is a Haisla artist from Kitimaat Village. His repertoire includes wood carving, painting, metalworking and glassworking. His art has been sold and displayed across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Slide showing NW view from smeltersite towards Clague Mountain. Building visible on left side, and mountain in the distance. Image is a double exposure, and trucks can be seen in the ghosted image.
James McNay was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, on January 31, 1907. Between 1951 and 1953, he worked in the payroll department for Alcan. He had to leave his wife Effie and his two young daughters, Margaret and Diane, aged 6 and 5 in 1951, at home in Surrey, B.C., during his 3-4 month stints in Kitimat. To fill some of his free time and show his family where he was and what Kitimat was like, he spent many hours walking in the area with a 35mm Kodak camera. He photographed the scenic beauty of the area and parts of the construction of both the smelters and the town. He died in Surrey on August 7, 1983.
Custodial History
Donated by Margaret McNay. Images were taken by her father and sent to their family in Surrey in the 1950s.
Scope and Content
Slide showing NW view from smeltersite towards Clague Mountain. Building visible on left side, and mountain in the distance. Image is a double exposure, and trucks can be seen in the ghosted image.
