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Images
Metadata
Title |
Jigsaw Puzzle of Herb Auerbach |
Object Name |
Puzzle, Jigsaw |
Catalog Number |
2006.2.4.1 |
Creator |
Bill Reid |
Date |
1982 |
Scope & Content |
Item is a jigsaw puzzle. The design features Herb Auerbach dressed in traditional Haida chief's regalia, but customized to reflect Auerbach. Auerbach appears with a headdress featuring a bagle and lox crest. On his left shoulder are the comedy and tragedy mask to reflect Auerbach's sponsorship of the theatre. His left shoulder also shows his family. On the right shoulder are various scenes from his career. On the upper portion there are six airplanes, representing Auerbach's frequent travels. Bill Reid created this pieces as a 50th birthday gift for Herb Auerbach. It was a part of the "Carrying on "Irregardless": Humour in Contemporary Northwest Coast Art" exhibit in 2012-2013. For the exhibit Auerbach provided some background on the puzzle. In addition to describing the significance of the piece, Auerbach included these humourous anecdotes. Concerning his having to assemble the puzzle without the guiding image: "Although I could connect the pieces with traight edges, it took some time to discern which was the top and which was the bottom of the picture. After about an hour, working from, what I was certain was the bottom of the puzzle, up, the image began to emerge. First the beard, then the moustache and the I cried out "Oh my God, it is a portrait of me!" Concerning the image of his family: "My wife was honored to be represented in Bill's graphic of my life. However, he got me into deep trouble by depicting 6 children instead of the five I claim parentage of. Mary, my wife, remains convinced to this day, that Bill knew something she didn't know, and she has been waiting all these years for that sixth child to beat on our door looking for Papa. Bill Reid forever the Raven, forever the trickster and troublemaker—still making trouble! Thanks Bill!" Herb Auerbach, March 13, 2012 |
Level of description |
Item |
Collection |
Auerbach Collection |
Parent Catalog Number |
2006.2.4 |
Ownership |
Bill Reid Foundation |
People |
Reid, Bill Auerbach, Herb |
Subjects |
Portrait drawings Puzzles |