Structure

== "Formline is one way to understand. It's useful that Bill Reid and Bill Holm - Bill to the second power - made up a terminology. As I learn more of the living lineage of Haida design, I need to investigate all the different ways of looking, including this more technical language of analysis. But describing water doesn't get me wet. ==

Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas (2006, p. 156).
The formline, ovoid and U-shape & S-shapes are central elements of traditional Haida art. Artist Robert Davidson describes formline as"...the skeleton. When I am creating, I actually design the skeleton before I fill in the space. The ovoid and U-shape echo throughout the skeleton." (2006, p. 157).

For a brief introduction to Haida art, watch this short video, produced by Urban Rez Productions:
media type="custom" key="24242874" Find the whole 26-part documentary series at @http://urbanrez.ca/rae/ravens-and-eagles-01.html

These panels demonstrate Yahgulanaas's use of formline to delineate panels within Haida manga:



= Question for discussion: =

Images
images retrieved October 21, 12013 from: http://joeshusterawards.com/2010/02/22/red-a-haida-manga/