Drawing

About this object

Narrative

From a collection of Northwest Coast inspired artwork produced by First Nations children at the Alert Bay Residential School during the 1968 to 1969 school year. The works were also part of an exhibition of student drawings, displayed at the Charles Sanderson Library in Toronto during 1970. They were also featured briefly by a local television station. Residential schools were operated by religious organizations and followed the regular provincial curriculum. The Alert Bay Residential School was operated by the Anglican Church of Canada. According to the Van Drielens, art was discouraged at the School because 'they couldn't make a living at it'.

Cultural context

student art

Physical description

Two separate drawings of left facing profile seals on vertically rectangular, grey-white paper pieces glued to a horizontally rectangular, yellow cardboard covered with plastic. Drawing on the left is outlined in black crayon with details in pencil and light yellow and red crayon. The circular grey eye with a yellow line around the top is outlined by a tapering oval. There is a grey w-shape behind the eye and a split u behind the open red mouth with teeth and yellow shapes above. The neck has two grey u forms that are yellow with grey vertical dashes within. There is an upside down grey split u below the neck. The back has a face with petal-like yellow protrusions all around. There is a face at the end of the tail. Pencil inscription at the bottom right reads 'Robert Ryan Seal age - 8'. Drawing on the right is drawn in pencil with pencil and bright yellow and red pencil crayon details. The arch-like grey eye is outlined by a tapering oval. There are two u forms behind the eye and a s-shape behind the open red mouth with teeth and yellow shapes above. The neck has two grey u forms that are yellow with grey vertical dashes within. There is an upside down grey split u below the neck. The back has a face with petal-like yellow protrusions all around. There is a face at the end of the tail. Pencil inscription across the bottom edge reads 'Happy holidays to the staff from Grade III for the staff age - 9 Seal(,) Charlie'.