Photograph by Ed Pollard, Sony a7R II 2025.

Images(4)

Raven's Box

Artist Preston Singletary (American (Tlingit), born 1963)

CultureAmerican

Date2014

MediumBlown and sandcarved glass, metal

Dimensions22 1/2 × 7 1/2 × 7 in. (57.2 × 19.1 × 17.8 cm)

SignedLower posterior, in etched script: “Preston Singletary 2004.”

Credit LineBequest of Stephen D. Weinstein

Object number2019.8

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 223

Label TextPreston Singletary American, b. 1963 Raven's Box, 2014 Blown and sand-carved glass, metal This minimalist sculpture of a bird perched on a metal box is linked to oral traditions of the Tlingit people of southeastern Alaska. In one story, Raven releases the sun, moon, and stars from boxes that enclose them, thus explaining the origins of light in the universe. Raven takes a central place in much of Singletary's work as the artist investigates his Native American heritage. The glass colors and sandblasted clan crests decorating the bird's body are inspired by Tlingit material culture. Bequest of Stephen D. Weinstein 2019.8ProvenanceArtist; purchased by Stephen D. Weinstein from Schantz Galleries Contemporary Art, Stockbriudge, MA; bequest of Weinstein to the Chrysler Museum of Art.