Artwork:
Mark Henderson. Octopus. Serigraph. 1981.
Octopus draws directly from the visual language and cultural knowledge of the Kwakwaka’wakw, where formline design serves as a carrier of lineage, story, and identity.
The octopus—often understood within Kwakwaka’wakw teachings as a powerful, intelligent being of the deep—extends outward in a carefully orchestrated composition that reflects balance and order. Each tentacle is structured with ovoids and repeating circular elements, demonstrating the disciplined design grammar that has been passed down through generations. At the center, the face-like form suggests transformation, a key concept in Kwakwaka’wakw worldview, where boundaries between human, animal, and spirit realms are fluid and interconnected. The bold red and black palette, grounded with cool blue-green, reinforces both the vitality of the figure and its connection to oceanic environments central to coastal life.
Mark Henderson’s use of serigraphy functions as both a contemporary artwork and a continuation of Kwakwaka’wakw visual storytelling, affirming identity while engaging audiences beyond the community.
Artist:
1953-2016 – Mark Henderson was an artist of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation, known primarily for his work in Northwest Coast graphic traditions, particularly silkscreen and serigraph printmaking. His artistic practice drew heavily on the formal design systems, visual language, and cosmological narratives of Kwakwaka’wakw culture, incorporating stylized animal figures such as Raven, Thunderbird, and Bear, as well as supernatural beings like the Sisiutl. Henderson was influenced early on by his father, Chief Sam Henderson, a master carver, and by prominent Northwest Coast artists including Henry Speck, Mungo Martin, and Willie Seaweed. His works are characterized by bold formline design, balanced compositions, and a commitment to translating oral histories and clan crests into accessible formats.
Born in 1953 in Campbell River, BC, and raised within the Wei-Wai-Kum (Wewaikum) Band, Henderson was immersed in a large, artistically active family, with several siblings also pursuing creative practices. He began learning to paint at around eleven years old under the guidance of his father, reflecting a traditional mentorship model rooted in intergenerational knowledge transfer. Over the course of his career, he produced numerous limited-edition prints that circulated widely, contributing to the dissemination of Kwakwaka’wakw visual culture. His works have appeared in auctions and collections, often featuring iconic Northwest Coast imagery and narratives. Henderson remained active as a printmaker for several decades until his death in 2016.
Deep Dive:
More information on the Kwakwaka’wakw.
More on some of Mark Henderson’s influences:
- Sam Henderson – 2022 Exhibition Looking After a Legacy: Through the Grains of Cedar, featuring art by Bill Henderson, Greg Henderson and Junior Henderson
- Henry Speck – 2024 Exhibition Northwest Coast Modern: Drawings by Chief Henry Speck
Foundation:
The Canadian Art Preservation Foundation posts short biographies and information on artists and artwork from its collection in a not-so-subtle attempt to capture your attention and interest in our mission, but we also just want to keep this artwork in view. We are excited about the art we collect and want to share it with you.
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