James Schoppert
Encyclopedia
Robert James "Jim" Schoppert (May 28, 1947-September 2, 1992), was a Tlingit ( or ˈtlɪŋɡɨt in English) Alaska Native born in Juneau, Alaska
. His father was of German descent and his mother Tlingit. During his life, Schoppert became one of the most prodigious and influential Alaska Native artists of the twentieth century. His work includes carving, painting, poetry and essays. He has been described as an innovator, that made traditional and contemporary Alaska Native works often pushing the boundaries of what was considered "traditional" Northwest Coast art. Throughout his career he was a spokesman for Alaska Native artists and artists in general. Having taught at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
(UAF) as a guest professor and giving talks and lectures at elementary schools throughout the states of Alaska
and Washington, his positive influence was spread through his work and words over the course of his career.
and carved an owl. He put it up for sale at the urging of his sister and was able to sell it quickly. This was the beginning of his career as an artist. Understanding that knowledge was important he went on to receive a BFA from the University of Alaska Anchorage
and a MFA from the University of Washington
. But "his apprenticeship was with himself," writes Steven Brown, associate curator at the Seattle Art Museum
. Continuing to produce work while in school he won first place in the statewide Earth, Fire and Fiber juried show in 1976 while still an undergraduate. This sculpture should have been an indication of things to come as it was a separation from his traditional work which would define him as an artist and create controversy and curiosity in later years. Although Jim created art using the traditional formline he chose a different approach for a great deal of his work that did not neatly fit into either contemporary or Northwest Coast art
. He was quoted as saying "There is tremendous pressure for conformity from collectors and scholars, who want work that fits into the classic definition of Northwest Indian art. When things don't fit their expectations there's a raised eyebrow, and a sort of suggestion of "What do we do with it now?". This mindset is what allowed Jim to create his most recognizable pieces which are large carved panels made of multiple planks, painted in non traditional colors and the planks rearranged to create an entirely new look and a break from traditional methods and form line. Examples of this style are seen in his works Teasing Eagle and Raven Opens Box of Stars.
During his career as an artist he also served on the state arts councils for both Alaska
and Washington. He created the North Coast Indian flat design that is on the entrance to the west end of the I-90 tunnel in Seattle Washington. There are several of his works throughout Alaska
and Washington, including one of the last pieces he made which was a large carving for the Port of Seattle
to be installed at the Seattle Tacoma International airport.
Although Jim is best known for his panels he also produced several pieces that followed traditional methods and formline design. This is most evident in his mask making, an example of Jim using this style can be found in his mask Forehead Mask (1977) and Mussel Shell Rattle (1992). In addition he had several paintings and drawings that incorporate a Native theme, however, show no use of formline, again pushing the boundaries of what was considered "traditional" Northwest Coast art
.
, this exhibit was displayed in the Smithsonian Institution
from October 3, 1999 to February 6, 2000 at the museum's George Gustav Heye Center.
Juneau, Alaska
The City and Borough of Juneau is a unified municipality located on the Gastineau Channel in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Alaska. It has been the capital of Alaska since 1906, when the government of the then-District of Alaska was moved from Sitka as dictated by the U.S. Congress in 1900...
. His father was of German descent and his mother Tlingit. During his life, Schoppert became one of the most prodigious and influential Alaska Native artists of the twentieth century. His work includes carving, painting, poetry and essays. He has been described as an innovator, that made traditional and contemporary Alaska Native works often pushing the boundaries of what was considered "traditional" Northwest Coast art. Throughout his career he was a spokesman for Alaska Native artists and artists in general. Having taught at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks, located in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, is the flagship campus of the University of Alaska System, and is abbreviated as Alaska or UAF....
(UAF) as a guest professor and giving talks and lectures at elementary schools throughout the states of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and Washington, his positive influence was spread through his work and words over the course of his career.
Career
In 1973 Jim came to Anchorage for a construction job which, it turned out, was no longer available. On February 26, 1973, using the last of his money, he bought a piece of soapstoneSoapstone
Soapstone is a metamorphic rock, a talc-schist. It is largely composed of the mineral talc and is thus rich in magnesium. It is produced by dynamothermal metamorphism and metasomatism, which occurs in the areas where tectonic plates are subducted, changing rocks by heat and pressure, with influx...
and carved an owl. He put it up for sale at the urging of his sister and was able to sell it quickly. This was the beginning of his career as an artist. Understanding that knowledge was important he went on to receive a BFA from the University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Anchorage
The University of Alaska Anchorage is the largest school of the University of Alaska System, with about 16,500 students, about 14,000 of whom attend classes at Goose Lake, its main campus in Anchorage....
and a MFA from the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
. But "his apprenticeship was with himself," writes Steven Brown, associate curator at the Seattle Art Museum
Seattle Art Museum
The Seattle Art Museum is an art museum located in Seattle, Washington, USA. It maintains three major facilities: its main museum in downtown Seattle; the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill, and the Olympic Sculpture Park on the central Seattle waterfront, which opened on...
. Continuing to produce work while in school he won first place in the statewide Earth, Fire and Fiber juried show in 1976 while still an undergraduate. This sculpture should have been an indication of things to come as it was a separation from his traditional work which would define him as an artist and create controversy and curiosity in later years. Although Jim created art using the traditional formline he chose a different approach for a great deal of his work that did not neatly fit into either contemporary or Northwest Coast art
Northwest Coast art
Northwest Coast art is the term commonly applied to a style of art created primarily by artists from Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, Kwakwaka'wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth and other First Nations and Native American tribes of the Northwest Coast of North America, from pre-European-contact times up to the...
. He was quoted as saying "There is tremendous pressure for conformity from collectors and scholars, who want work that fits into the classic definition of Northwest Indian art. When things don't fit their expectations there's a raised eyebrow, and a sort of suggestion of "What do we do with it now?". This mindset is what allowed Jim to create his most recognizable pieces which are large carved panels made of multiple planks, painted in non traditional colors and the planks rearranged to create an entirely new look and a break from traditional methods and form line. Examples of this style are seen in his works Teasing Eagle and Raven Opens Box of Stars.
During his career as an artist he also served on the state arts councils for both Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and Washington. He created the North Coast Indian flat design that is on the entrance to the west end of the I-90 tunnel in Seattle Washington. There are several of his works throughout Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and Washington, including one of the last pieces he made which was a large carving for the Port of Seattle
Port of Seattle
The Port of Seattle is a port district that runs Seattle's seaport and airport. Its creation was approved by the voters of King County, Washington, on September 5, 1911, authorized by the Port District Act. It is run by a five-member commission. The commissioners' terms run four years...
to be installed at the Seattle Tacoma International airport.
Artwork
Jim's artwork covered a wide range of techniques such as traditional carving, abstract paintings, drawings, mask making and most notably his large carved panel pieces that are his most recognized. The wood panel pieces are also what created some controversy over whether his art was contemporary or Northwest Coastal. Jim learned that the Tlingit formline that was considered the traditional method was only a relatively recent development among the Northwest Indian. It was his opinion that enforcing the practices of 1850's or 1950's as the rule for all time amounted to artistic tyranny. He has been quoted as saying "Learn the rules, then break them". When talking about his panels, his intention was to further the art by following what he considered its natural progression. "If Art has a Master, Imagination cracks the whip".(1987) It is clear that he was true to his beliefs when examining his work. He went beyond the boundaries of traditional Northwest Coastal art and was a contributor to the evolution of contemporary native art.Although Jim is best known for his panels he also produced several pieces that followed traditional methods and formline design. This is most evident in his mask making, an example of Jim using this style can be found in his mask Forehead Mask (1977) and Mussel Shell Rattle (1992). In addition he had several paintings and drawings that incorporate a Native theme, however, show no use of formline, again pushing the boundaries of what was considered "traditional" Northwest Coast art
Northwest Coast art
Northwest Coast art is the term commonly applied to a style of art created primarily by artists from Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, Kwakwaka'wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth and other First Nations and Native American tribes of the Northwest Coast of North America, from pre-European-contact times up to the...
.
Exhibitions
Jim's final exhibition was hosted by the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center seven years after he died, putting together a traveling exhibit that contained 50 pieces of art, and selected essays and poems as a tribute to a great Alaska Native artist and recognized him as transformational "whose unique artistic expression contributed to the evolution of contemporary native art". Sponsored by the National Museum of the American IndianNational Museum of the American Indian
The National Museum of the American Indian is a museum operated under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution that is dedicated to the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of the native Americans of the Western Hemisphere...
, this exhibit was displayed in the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
from October 3, 1999 to February 6, 2000 at the museum's George Gustav Heye Center.
- 1992 "Instrument of Change: Retrospective Exhibition", Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian] New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
- 1992 "Visions of Alaska", Denise Wallace Gallery, Santa FeSanta Fe, New MexicoSanta Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
- 1992 "Salmon:Ritual and Resource." Stonington Gallery, Seattle
- 1991 "A Northern Perspectives", The Legacy Ltd., Seattle
- 1991 "Raw Materials", Sacred Circle Gallery, Seattle
- 1991 "Eleventh Anniversary Show", Stoningham Gallery, Seattle
- 1990 "Eleven Stories", Sacred Circle Gallery, Seattle
- 1990 "Northern Lights", SunRunner, Ojai
- 1989 "Native American Expressions of Surrealism", Sacred Circle Gallery, Seattle
- 1986 "What is Native American Art?'"
- 1985 Second Biennial Invitational, Heard MuseumHeard MuseumThe Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art is a museum located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. There is also the Heard Museum North Scottsdale branch in Scottsdale and the Heard Museum West branch in Surprise....
, PhoenixPhoenix, ArizonaPhoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data... - 1985 "Visage Transcended: Contemporary Native American Masks", American Indian Contemporary Arts Gallery, San Francisco
- 1985 North Central Washington Museum, Juneau
- 1985 "New Ideas from Old Traditions", Yellowstone Arts Center
- 1984 C.N. Gorman Museum, University of CaliforniaUniversity of CaliforniaThe University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
, Davis - 1984 "The New Native American Aesthetic", Marilyn Butler Gallery, Santa Fe
External links
- National Museum on the American Indian Smithsonian "National Museum on the American Indian of Change : Retrospective Exhibition 1947-1992"
- Seattle PI Archives, "Memorial Service for Tlingit Artist Robert James Schoppert"
- Seattle Times Archives "Robert James Schoppert, 45, Used Tlingit Heritage In His Artwork."
- Seattle International Airport Permanent Art List
- Alaska Art James Shoppert Biograpphy