"Perennial (Camas v. Death Camas), a two-plate, 8-color woodblock print. Camas were an important part of trade and diet for the Duwamish peoples. When pioneers came to the area, they burned ninety Longhouses along with hundreds of acres of camas plants, and orchards of hazelnuts. Further industrialization meant the tribe lost fishing rights and access to traditional food harvesting sites. More than 97 percent of the wildlife habitat that existed in the Duwamish River was destroyed when the waterway was turned into a channel. Once the land had been settled, the homes, food and water access had all been depleted. This complete neglect for the land and its people continues today. I wanted to amplify the Duwamish voice by raising awareness of the inequities and the complexities behind these issues.

Featured in the print is a native plant to the Seattle area. The death camas, a deadly plant, is bound by the wrists to the camas plant, representing the acceptance of colonization in lieu of complete destruction and erasure from white settlers. It is a reminder that assimilation and resilience is not a choice." - Jacoub Reyes (Artist)


Printed at: Sidereal Fine Art Press, Tukwila, Washington
Press: American French Tool intaglio press
Medium: Wood cut
Plates: 2
Image Size: 24" x 24"
Sheet Size: 31" x 30" hand torn edges and deckle
Paper: Somerset Velvet Soft White, 100% cotton