Object Catalog Record
Images
Additional Images [15]
Metadata
Title |
"DaKl'aweidi," 2023 |
Object # |
2023.2.82.1 |
Object Name |
Vest |
Artist |
Ruby, Christy |
Description |
Dyed sea otter fur vest, "DaKl'aweidi" made by Christy Ruby, 2023. The body of the vest features Ruby's signature colored sea otter fur in herring blue with a whale grey accent on the collar. The back panel features a Northwest Coast Killer Whale design that represents the artist's lineage. Ruby created the design in partnernship with Ken Decker. Creating formline design for fur is different than drawing or painting. The lines cannot be any thinner than 1/4 inch because each piece is individually cut out. The vest is made of 48 individually hand-sewn pieces. The vest was intentionally not lined so that students and researchers could examine Ruby's sewing techniques. |
Provenance |
Christy Ruby is Tlingit Eagle from the Kéet Gooshi Hít (Killer Whale Dorsal Fin) House in Klukwan near Haines, Alaska. Ruby is a master furrier with a background in graphic design, creating both functional apparel and wearable art. Ruby began to work with legally harvested sea mammal furs in 2010, starting with simple patterned purses and growing into more elaborate apparel designs for mittens, hats, scarves, vests, and coats. She is known for pioneering the use of dyed sea otter fur in collaboration with an east coast processor. Her fashions feature an array of colors, including white, blue, red, and purple. Ruby completed the vest in 2023. It was featured in her solo exhibit, "From Bullet to Blanket: The Journey of Sea Otter and Seal to Apparel" at the Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council's Main Street Gallery. The exhibit walked visitors through the process of hunting marine mammals, processing the hides, designing and patterning, and hand-sewing the hides into apparel. The vest was also shown in Ketchikan Museum's featured exhibit, "On the Edge" from March 2024 to January 2025. The exhibit highlighted people who make up the working waterfront, including Christy Ruby. |
Material |
Sea Otter Fur |
Dimensions |
W-18 L-23 inches |
People |
Ruby, Christy Decker, Ken |
Search Terms |
Art Art Acquisition Fund - Alaska Art Fund Apparel Fur Killer Whale Sea Otter Tlingit Ketchikan Area Arts & Humanities Council Ketchikan, Alaska |
Multimedia link |
Link to Artifact of the Month Virtual Exhibit record |
Credit line |
Ketchikan Museums, KM 2023.2.82.1 |