Artwork copyright Robert Stauffer. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Diving Sea-Wolf & Moon Drum, 1996

Robert Stauffer
American (born 1953)

Location: Yacolt Elementary, Yacolt

About the Artwork

Non-Native artist Rob Stauffer's 'Diving Sea-Wolf & Moon Drum' depicts a mythological creature that could change from a wolf into a sea mammal, diving in the sea on a moonlit night. Stauffer notes: "Some believe it is actually the orca or killer whale, as it makes sounds common to both orcas and wolves." Many elements of this artwork—such as the drum form, materials, art style, colors, and subject matter—are based on traditions from the Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast. The stylized sea wolf and moon face are based on Northwest Coast curved and ovoid formline designs. Stauffer made the drum by steam-bending a plank of wood and wrapping it with stretched deer hide.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Battle Ground Public Schools.

About the Artist

Robert Stauffer is a Northwest artist whose art focuses on the Native American artistic traditions of the Pacific Northwest Coast. He is a non-Native artist. Stauffer learned to carve after studying with Native American artists at Tillicum Village on Blake Island, in Puget Sound, Western Washington.