Summer Spirits Item Number: Na819 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Rectangular print depicting a central yellow and black bird-like figure with a large black head protruding from the top. On either side is a red and black animal standing on its hind legs with its front legs extended; tail hanging down; each are facing the middle. Below image from side on right: Summer Spirits 46/56 Dorset 1975 Pitseolak. Canadian Arts Council's blind embossed stamp and Cape Dorset blind embossed stamp in lower corner on right.

History Of Use

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.

Cultural Context

contemporary art

Item History

What

Name
Summer Spirits
Identification Number
Na819
Type of Item
print
Manufacturing Technique
lithographed and printed
Overall
height 33.0 cm, width 41.0 cm
Image
height 23.5 cm, width 31.0 cm

Who

Culture
Inuit
Creator
Pitseolak Ashoona (Maker)
Previous Owner
Guenter Adolphs
Received from
Guenter Adolphs (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Cape Dorset, Nunavut, Canada and Kinngait, Nunavut, Canada

When

Creation Date
during 1975
Collection Date
before 1983
Ownership Date
before December 15, 1983
Acquisition Date
on December 15, 1983

Other

Item Classes
works on paper
Condition
good
Accession Number
0914/0089