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Odin Lonning | | Location: | Vashon, WA | | Tribal Affiliation: | Tlingit | | Style: | Traditional Coastal | | Primary Media: | Cedar, Acrylic, Drums |
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Odin Lonning (Tlingit name SH NOW TAAN) was born in Juneau, Alaska. He is Woosh Ke Taan (Eagle/Shark) Clan through his Tlingit mother. He is named after his Norwegian father.
At age ten. Odin saw his first traditional dance performance. This motivated him to explore Tlingit art. Local native artists such as Lincoln and Amos Wallace, Johnny Avatok, and Nathan Jackson inspired him, along with the culture centers and museums in Ketchikan Haines and Sitka. When he was twenty, the Juneau school district, Juneau Centennial Committee, Goldbelt Corporation, and Sealaska Corporation commissioned several of his pieces for permanent display.
In 1989 Odin attended the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. While in Santa Fe he collaborated with another artist to form Wolfsong Arts. They exhibited in larger powwows, juried invitationals, and museum shows throughout the West and Midwest.
Seeking a deeper understanding of the culture essential to his artwork, Odin started dancing and learning traditional songs. He danced with the Juneau Tlingit Dancers, Seattle based Ku-Tee-Ya, and the Xudzidaa Kwaan dance group of Angoon, Alaska.
Odin now lives in Seattle where he works on private commissions and cultural presentations for schools. Museums, galleries and treatment centers. He recently interned with Tlingit master carver Israel Shotridge to study totem pole carving. Odin also works with Northwest Native Designs, a custom leather furniture company employing the talents of many native artists.
Odin’s current works in both traditional and contemporary media include carved wooden boxes, bowls, masks, paddles and totems; painted originals, drums and ceramics; etched glass and copper; appliqué and leather dance regalia; and graphic design for jewelry, fabric and leather furniture. |
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