Oonangada

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.

Embossed white on white print with form lines and other elements raised from paper surface. Symmetrical distributive design. Large centre ovoid slopes down towards sides from near top to centre; inside are eyes containing faces; nose or beak with a circular centre, and a wide open mouth with two teeth rows and tongue between bottom teeth. Salmon-trout head ovoids at all four corners. Ears at top near centre are double split u's. Face at centre bottom with large rounded eyes, and double leaf-shaped mouth(?) stylized human hands, left pointing left and right pointing right, are on either side of bottom face. Spaces are filled with split u's, some creating curving lines along edges. Pencil inscription along bottom edge reads: "18/199 'Oonangada' Jim M. Hart '82" with a bird insignia.