Shadow Catcher

a vanishing way of life...

Shadow Catcher

Edward Curtis, or the “Shadow Catcher” as he was called by some of the tribes he photographed, took over 40,000 images and recorded rare ethnographic information from over eighty American Indian tribal groups, ranging from the Eskimo or Inuit people of the far north to the Hopi people of the Southwest.

He captured the likeness of many important and well-known Indian people of that time, including Geronimo, Chief Joseph, Red Cloud, Medicine Crow and others. This monumental accomplishment is comprised of more than 2,200 sepia toned photogravures bound in twenty volumes of written information and small images and twenty portfolios of larger artistic representations.

Many Native Americans believed their shadow was also a sacred part of of themselves and Curtis' photos helped document and preserve in memory their vanishing way of life.

About the Music:

I just purchased two Am Native American Flutes (a Spirit flute and a pocket flute). This tune was written to feature the beautiful sounding Spirit flute (see photo).

Frame drums and acoustic guitar set the groove and acoustic bass and a tad of strings add to the texture as the tune progresses.

Further Edward Curtis Info

• Shadow Catcher: The Life and Work of Edward S. Curtis
• Edward S. Curtis: Selections from The North American Indian Portfolio
• Edward Curtis
  - photo collection of Native Americans