Drawing Item Number: Nb3.1436 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Cut out, right facing, profile squatting figure in red and white on a light yellow-white card glued to a horizontally rectangular, black cardboard. Large head at the top with a crest. Small head on the back with a series of three ovoids to a fluked tail. Arms and legs end in two digits. Design elements are outlined in red felt pen and some shapes (u forms, ovoids, etc) are filled in in red with some white outlining. Covered with clear plastic.

Cultural Context

student art

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'.

Item History

What

Name
Drawing
Identification Number
Nb3.1436
Type of Item
drawing
Overall
height 56.0 cm, width 71.3 cm, depth 0.2 cm

Who

Culture
Kwakwaka'wakw
Previous Owner
Ralph Van Drielen and Enid Van Drielen
Received from
Enid Van Drielen (Donor) and Ralph Van Drielen (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
'Yalis (Alert Bay), British Columbia, Canada

When

Creation Date
during 1969
Collection Date
during 1969
Ownership Date
before January 26, 1978
Acquisition Date
on January 26, 1978

Other

Item Classes
works on paper
Condition
fair
Accession Number
0432/0024