Northwest Coast Art Collection MS.2017.008

Karina Cardenas
Special Collections and Archives
2017


Contributing Institution: Special Collections and Archives
Title: Northwest Coast Art Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS.2017.008
Physical Description: 7.67 Linear Feet
Date (bulk): 1949-1997
Abstract: Mary Gormly was the former librarian and archivist at John F. Kennedy Memorial Library at California State University, Los Angeles from 1962-1983. Gormly's Northwest Coast artwork impacted the campus with her diverse collection and dedication to educate on Native American culture. Her interest in Northwest Coast art likely started from living in Washington. She also received her B.A. in Anthropology in 1947 from the University of Washington. Gormly also went on to Mexico and received a M.A. from Mexico City College in 1948. She received a MLS degree from the University of Washington in 1959. Gormly was employed at John F. Kennedy Memorial Library in 1962 as a social sciences librarian. Gormly's interests at the campus centered on the arts and ethnography of Native American populations. She retired from Cal State Los Angeles in 1983 but continued to teach about Northwest Coast art and Native American history. Gormly passed away in 2004, but has left her legacy on campus with her Northwest Coast Art collection, a fellowship for Native American studies students in her honor, and an exhibit of the collection in 2007.
Language of Material: English .

Conditions Governing Use

The Northwest Coast Art Collection is the physical property of California State University, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Special Collections and Archives.

Preferred Citation

Folder title, Series, Box number, Collection title, followed by Special Collections and Archives, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, California State University, Los Angeles

Arrangement

The collection is organized into seven series: I: Kwakwaka'wakw Art, 1979-1986; II: Nuu-chah-nulth Art, 1978-1982; III: Gitxsan Art, 1976-1986; VI: Haida Art, 1974-1979; V: Other Art, 1949-1983; VI: Miscellaneous, u.d. ; VII: Oversized Art, 1982-1997.

Biographical / Historical

Mary Gormly was the former librarian and archivist at John F. Kennedy Memorial Library at California State University, Los Angeles from 1962-1983. Gormly's Northwest Coast artwork impacted the campus with her diverse collection and dedication to educate on Native American culture. Her interest in Northwest Coast art likely started from living in Washington. She also received her B.A. in Anthropology in 1947 from the University of Washington. Gormly also went on to Mexico and received a M.A. from Mexico City College in 1948. She received a MLS degree from the University of Washington in 1959. Gormly was employed at John F. Kennedy Memorial Library in 1962 as a social sciences librarian. Gormly's interests at the campus centered on the arts and ethnography of Native American populations. She retired from Cal State Los Angeles in 1983 but continued to teach about Northwest Coast art and Native American history. Gormly passed away in 2004, but has left her legacy on campus with her Northwest Coast Art collection, a fellowship for Native American studies students in her honor, and an exhibit of the collection in 2007.

Scope and Contents

Mary Gormly former librarian and archivist at John F. Kennedy Memorial Library at California State Los Angeles from 1962-1983 collected Native American Art from the Northwest Coast. In 1983 she donated her collection to the library.
Series I: Kwakwaka'wakw Art Inclusive Dates: 1979-1986 Arrangement: Alphabetical and thereunder chronological
This series includes Posters and art cards collected by Mary Gormly through the years from 1979-1986. The series is focused on Kwakwaka'wakw art and culture. Some of the artists include the Hunt Family: Henry Hunt, father, and his sons Tony, Stan, and Richard. The Hunt family provide black and red art that depicts nature related to the Kwakwaka'wakw people.
Series II: Nuu-chah-nulth Art Inclusive Dates: 1978-1982 Arrangement: Alphabetical and thereunder chronological
This series consists of posters and art cards collected by Mary Gormly from 1978-1982. The series is focused on Nuu-chah-nulth artwork by Tim Paul and Joe David. Their artwork exhibits various aspects of Nuu-chah-nulth culture with their colorful and diverse art.
Series III: Gitxsan Art Inclusive Dates: 1976-1986 Arrangement: Alphabetical and thereunder chronological
This small series consists of posters collected by Mary Gormly from 1976-1986. The series is on Gitxsan artwork by artist Ken Mowatt. Mowatt's black and red and animal centered artwork provide insight onto Gitxsan culture.
Series IV: Haida Art Inclusive Dates: 1974-1979 Arrangement: Alphabetical and thereunder chronological
This small series consists of posters and art cards collected by Mary Gormly from 1974-1979. The series includes artists' Robert Davidson and Bill Reid interpretations of Haida culture. Their art is characterized by its circular shapes and fine strokes.
Series V: Other Art Inclusive Dates: 1949-1983 Arrangement: Alphabetical and thereunder chronological
This series consists of posters, art cards, and pages collected by Mary Gormly from 1949-1983. This diverse series includes various artworks that are not directly connected to a specific indigenous community. Artist Barry Herem is influenced by a Northwest Coast Indian Style and black and red are his preferred colors. Artist Roy Henry Vickers is from a mixed heritage of Tsimshian, Haida, and Heitsuk and reflects that diversity in his art. The series also includes Hopi artist Fred Kabotie's pages that introduce Mimbreno art and history.
Series VI: Miscellaneous Inclusive Dates: u.d. Arrangement: Alphabetical and thereunder chronological
This small series includes artist biographies and exhibit labels related to the Pacific Northwest Art Collection.
Series VI: Oversized Art Inclusive Dates: 1982-1997 Arrangement: Alphabetical and thereunder chronological
This series consists of posters collected by Mary Gormly from 1982- 1997. The series includes Kwakwaka'wakw, Gitxsan, and Tsimshian artwork that portray animals like wolves, ravens, and sea animals.

 

Kwakwaka'wakw Art, 1979-1986

Arrangement

Alphabetical and thereunder chronological

Scope and Contents

This series includes Postersand art cardscollected by Mary Gormly through the years from 1979-1986. The series is focused on Kwakwaka'wakwart and culture. Some of the artistsincludethe Hunt Family: Henry Hunt, father, and his sons Tony, Stan, and Richard.The Hunt family provide black and red art that depicts nature related to the Kwakwaka'wakwpeople.
box 1

Cannibal Bird, 1979

box 1

Eagle and Salmon, u.d.

box 1

Kwa-Gulth-Hok-Hok, 1979

box 1

Kwa-Gulth Kolus & Killer Whale, 1986

box 1

Moon, 1979

box 1

Returning Raven, 1983

box 1

Whale and Eagle, u.d.

 

Nuu-chah-nulth Art, 1978-1982

Arrangement

Alphabetical and thereunder chronological

Scope and Contents

This series consists of posters and art cards collected by Mary Gormly from 1978-1982. The series is focused on Nuu-chah-nulthartwork by Tim Paul and Joe David. Their artwork exhibits various aspects of Nuu-chah-nulthculture with their colorful and diverse art.
box 1

Blue Raven, 1979

box 1

Living Spirit, 1982

box 1

Otter, 1978

box 1

Wild Woman, u.d.

 

Gitxsan Art, 1976-1986

Arrangement

Alphabetical and thereunder chronological

Scope and Contents

This small series consists of posters collected by Mary Gormly from 1976-1986. The series is on Gitxsanartwork by artist Ken Mowatt. Mowatt's black and red and animal centered artwork provide insight onto Gitxsan culture.
box 1

Northwest Indian Animal Design, 1986

box 1

We-gyet and the Bears, 1977

box 1

We-gyet and the Lynx, 1976

 

Haida Art, 1974-1979

Arrangement

Alphabetical and thereunder chronological

Scope and Contents

This small series consists of posters and art cards collected by Mary Gormly from 1974-1979. The series includes artists' Robert Davidson and Bill Reid interpretations of Haida culture. Their art is characterized by its circular shapes and fine strokes.
box 2

Haida Dog Salmon, 1974

box 2

Haida Wolf, 1979

box 2

Rock Scallop, u.d.

 

Other Art, 1949-1983

Arrangement

Alphabetical and thereunder chronological

Scope and Contents

This series consists of posters, art cards, and pages collected by Mary Gormly from 1949-1983. This diverse series includes various artworks that are not directly connected to a specific indigenous community. Artist Barry Herem is influenced by a Northwest Coast Indian Style and black and red are his preferred colors. Artist Roy Henry Vickers is from a mixed heritage of Tsimshian, Haida, and Heitsuk and reflects that diversity in his art. The series also includes Hopi artist Fred Kabotie's pages that introduce Mimbreno art and history.
box 2

Broaching Whale, u.d.

box 2

Design from the Ancient Mimbrenos with a Hopi Interpretation (2 copies), 1949

box 2

Eagle Chief, 1975

box 2

Halibut, 1976

box 2

Killer Whale, 1983

box 2

Raven, 1983

box 2

Thunder bird and Wolves, u.d.

box 2

Tsimshian Woman (2 copies),1974

box 2

Tsimshian Chief, 1974

 

Miscellaneous, u.d.

Arrangement

Alphabetical and thereunder chronological

Scope and Contents

This small series includes artist biographies and exhibit labels related to the Pacific Northwest Art Collection.
box 2

1.1 Artist Biographies, u.d.

box 2

1.2 Exhibit Labels, u.d.

 

Oversized Art, 1982-1997

Arrangement

Alphabetical and thereunder chronological

Scope and Contents

This series consists of posters collected by Mary Gormly from 1982-1997. The series includes Kwakwaka'wakw, Gitxsan, and Tsimshian artwork that portray animals like wolves, ravens, and sea animals.
case 2; Drawer 6

Dzilaxoors, u.d.

case 2; Drawer 6

Four Salmon, 1989

case 2; Drawer 6

Killer Whale, 1983

case 7; Drawer 4

Quintana Galleries, 1997

case 2; Drawer 6

Raven Dancer, 1982

carton 2; Drawer 7

Ravens Journey, u.d.

case 2; Drawer 7

Returning Raven, 1983

case 2; Drawer 7

Seawolf, 1982

case 2; Drawer 7

Three Wolves, u.d.