Artwork copyright Edna Jackson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1986.

Artwork copyright Edna Jackson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1986.

Artwork copyright Edna Jackson. Photo courtesy of Western Washington University, 2025.

Artwork copyright Edna Jackson. Photo courtesy of Western Washington University, 2025.

Container (white), 1984

Edna Jackson
American Tlingit (born 1950)

Location: Western Washington University, Bellingham

About the Artwork

Container (white) is part of Tlingit (Native Alaskan) artist and papermaker Edna Jackson's series of containers that combine traditional Coast Salish forms and materials in innovative ways. The bowl-like sculpture is made from handmade paper pulp, but also includes wood rods, beads, gold thread, and a woven fishnet. This artwork is part of Beyond Blue Mountains, a collection that was curated by late Tlingit (Native Alaskan) artist Jim Schoppert. It presents the work of Native American artists of diverse heritage, ideas, materials, and styles. The collection takes an in-depth look at the artists’ unique voices and interpretations of tradition.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Western Washington University.

About the Artist

Jackson earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fiber arts from Oregon State University in 1980 and a Master of Fine Arts degree in fiber arts from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1983.