"Go Deep" Fine Art Print by Louie Gong

The salmon is a primary staple of both the diet and culture of Coast Salish and Northwest Native people, as well as the subject of Nooksack artist Louie Gong's Go Deep Fine Art Print.

Go Deep was inspired by a fishing trip to the Chehalis River in British Columbia. Louie’s Uncle Pete hooked a giant coho. Instead of trying to swim away downstream, the salmon dove down toward the bottom of the river. Although Uncle Pete ultimately brought the coho in, its unexpected dive was an image that stuck with Louie. The dynamic motion and materials used are characteristic of Louie’s aesthetic that seamlessly blends the contemporary and traditional.

Go Deep was Louie's first exploration into merging spray paint with Coast Salish designs. Its 2014 creation was significant as the early piece was an important departure from the conventional "school" of Coast Salish art. 

Specifications

• Giclée fine art print (unframed)
  
• Open edition
• 10.5" x 22.5" artwork size; 12.5" x 26.5" print size with border
• Paper details?
• Professionally packaged and shipped flat
  
• Original work is mixed media: spray paint, acrylic, and wood stain on wool panel

A Note From the Artist

I'm Louie Gong (Nooksack) and I'm a Canadian artist based in Seattle. Most people know me as the founder of Eighth Generation, an iconic Native-owned brand that was the first to produce wool blankets. I'm very proud that my cousin Matt Gong and Uncle Pete are offering my prints to people throughout Canada.

I'm a self-taught artist who was raised by my grandparents in Ruskin B.C. before moving to the Nooksack tribal community in northwest Washington. I got my start by painting cultural art on shoes, but realized that creating one-of-a-kind pieces did not provide a sustainable pathway to success, so I began applying my artwork to accessibly-priced products. My unique style merges traditional Coast Salish art with influences from my mixed heritage and urban environment to create work that resonates widely across communities and cultures.