Drawing Item Number: Nb3.1418 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Left facing white and black profile whale with a slightly open mouth. Band of u forms along the top of the head above the eye. Slightly split u's in the dorsal fin and a series of s-shapes in the body above a row of various shapes. Face in tail flukes. Printed at the bottom left, there reads 'Robert King age - 10'. The drawing is on a horizontally rectangular, white paper piece that is glued to black cardboard 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 one of the local television stations. 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
Nb3.1418
Type of Item
drawing
Manufacturing Technique
painted and drawn
Overall
height 45.5 cm, width 60.3 cm, depth 0.2 cm

Who

Culture
Kwakwaka'wakw
Creator
Robert King (Maker)
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
0432/0006