Mountain Supernatural

This set of drawings, intaglio prints and an embossed printing plate, represents the process of designing and executing an embossed intaglio print. The bas-relief carving such as is found in wooden chest fronts is the main influence for the design. The 'Oonangada' design is found on chests in which the wealth of the chiefs are stored. According to Swinton there is a similar image on an interior screen of the Edenshaw's ancestral home at Kiusta.

contemporary art

This image represents Oonangada (or Qonankadet), a supernatural sea creature who brought wealth and fortune to those lucky enough to gaze upon its face.

Working drawing with faint vertical line at centre. Outline of symmetrical distributive design. Large centre ovoid slopes down toward sides from near top to centre; inside are eyes containing faces; nose or beak with a circular centre and a wide, open mouth with teeth. Salmon-trout head ovoids at all four corners. Ears at top near centre bottom with large round eyes, double leaf-shaped mouth had teeth erased. Stylized human hands on left, pointing left and on right pointing right are on either side of bottom face. Spaces are filled with u's, split u's , etc. Inscription at bottom reads '"Mountain Supernatural" box front design' and is signed 'Jim Hart 82' with an eagle insignia.