RED: A Haida Manga
Artist
Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas
MediumBox Set of 18 Limited Edition Giclees on Watercolor Paper
Dimensions20 x 26 1/2 in. (50.8 x 67.3 cm)
ClassificationsPrint
Credit LineSeattle Public Utilities 1% for Art Portable Works Collection
Yagulanaas' artistic practice crosses diverse cultures, generations, and disciplines Haida Manga is the innovative combination of Haida formline design and Japanese comics (manga) to create a pan-Pacific narrative art form.
The plot is based on a story from Yahgulanaas' family. Red is a red-haired orphan boy growing up on Haida Gwaii. When Jaada, his sister is captured by raiders from another village, he swears to recover her. Red becomes leader of his village, but can think of nothing but his missing sister, and brings his people to the brink of war and disaster in his quest for revenge.
Sheet 7: top three panels: The inventor has Red's village hunt sea lions for pelts, in order to construct a giant whale submarine.
Sheet 7: bottom three panels: Red sneaks through the sleeping village, searching for Jaada.