Cedar, wool fabric, mother-of-pearl buttons, acrylic paint
4 ft x 15 ft
©1987 Bill & Clarissa Hudson

We made this piece for Southeast  Alaska Regional Health Corporation when they were dedicating their new Native health clinic in Juneau, Alaska.  SEARHC was, at that time, just beginning to explore ways to incorporating traditional Tlingit Indian healing practices, such as were performed by the village shaman healers, into their modern clinical proceedures.

Bill's cedar carving in the center represents the Shaman, his patient, and the journey into the "spirit world."  Clarissa's 15 ft. buttonblanket-style wool panel, on both sides of the carving, show the animal Spirit Guides (a raven and a bear), who will lead the Shaman to the information he needs to bring healing to the patient. Materials include red cedar, wool melton cloth, and approximately 800 mother-of-pearl buttons.

As a grand-opening commemortive item, we also created a limited edition silkscreened print (50) of this same image.