Shaman's Dwelling Item Number: Na808 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Dwelling has two large stylized birds on either side; cross in middle above dwelling. Inside: cross on inverted u shape base; circle on top and on each end of cross; five stone cairns. Stamped names of artist and printmaker in Inuit syllabics above Cape Dorset Co-operative seal of stylized red igloo in corner on lower left. Pencil inscription below image from side on left: "Shaman's dwelling stonecut and stencil 16/50 Dorset 1975 Pudlo." Canadian Eskimo Arts Council's blind embossed stamp in corner on lower 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
Shaman's Dwelling
Identification Number
Na808
Type of Item
print
Manufacturing Technique
printed, stencilled and stonecut
Overall
height 62.0 cm, width 86.0 cm

Who

Culture
Inuit
Creator
Pudlo Pudlat (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
0914/0078