KINGFISHER

2022, silkscreen print, edition of 100, hand-pulled by the artist, 20” x 24”

Tamuuk, The Kingfisher is a crest of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth people. This design incorporates influences from northern design styles and is a contemporary mix of northwest coast 2-dimensional design.

Kingfishers get their common name from their skill in fishing! They mostly fish for minnows and sticklebacks. They close their eyes as they dive into the water, so they can literally fish with their eyes closed!

Kingfisher courtship is in spring. The male will approach the female with a fish in his beak. He will hold it so that the head of the fish is facing outwards and attempt to feed it to the female. (And who says romance is dead?!) And something I can personally relate to from my past courting life, If the kingfisher is unsuccessful he will simply go home alone to eat the fish himself (definitely comfort eating).

When a pair does court, each of their chicks can eat 12-18 fish a day, meaning the adults must catch over 120 fish each day for their family. Hence why they can be seen fishing all day!