The Owl

Contemporary Inuit prints were first produced at Cape Dorset in 1957. Although precursors to printmaking can be seen in women's skin applique work and in men's incising of ivory, stone and bone, the impetus for printmaking was as a commercial venture. This venture was established jointly by Inuit artists and John Houston, the civil administrator for Cape Dorset. Other Inuit communities quickly followed the commercial success of Cape Dorset's West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative. Printmaking developed as a communal activity following a Japanese, rather than a Western, model of serigraph production. Each year the cooperatives produce a series of limited edition prints which are sold in the retail art market. In 1965, the Canadian Eskimo Arts Council was established from the Canadian Eskimo Art Committee to ensure high standards were maintained. Printmaking, along with stone carving, provide cash income for communities which have undergone rapid and significant change, during the late 20th century, from traditional hunting based societies to settled communities dependent on consumer goods. The prevalent images depicted in Inuit art are of traditional life, arctic animals and mythology. Recently, contemporary subjects have been depicted by a minority of artists.

contemporary art

Stonecut print of a front facing owl with tail to side on left; stylized wings and feathers widespread in curvilinear pattern, green to brown shading, surround naturalistic body; black beak, eyes and feet. At upper side on left Inuit syllabics for artist and printmaker's names; Cape Dorset Co-operative seal of stylized igloo. Below image from side on left an inscription reads: "The Owl Stone Cut 57/100 Dorset 1969 Kenojuak." The print is on horizontally rectangular cream paper, mounted with off-white matboard and framed.