Launching the Umiak Item Number: Na889 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Black and white boat with blue interior; four human figures, one in black and three in green parkas; figure at right holds mooring line. At upper left names of artist and printmaker in Inuit syllabics and Cape Dorset stylized red igloo seal. Pencil inscription below image from side on left: "Launching the umiak stonecut and stencil 26/50 Dorset 1977 Lucy." Canadian Eskimo Arts Council's 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
Launching the Umiak
Identification Number
Na889
Type of Item
print
Manufacturing Technique
stencilled, stonecut and printed
Overall
height 33.5 cm, width 63.0 cm

Who

Culture
Inuit
Creator
Lucy Qinnuayuak (Maker) and Lukta Qiatsuk (Technician)
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 1977
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
0914/0159