Drawing Item Number: Nb3.1425 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Four horizontally rectagular dark blue ink drawings on light yellow-brown paper glued to a blue cardboard backing and covered with clear plastic. Top left is a profile right facing bird-like head with a small face in the crest above and a wing-like appendage below. At the bottom right, there reads at an angle 'RAVEN HEAD'. Top right is a left facing whale that has split u's , u forms, circles, and other shapes. At the top right, there reads at an angle 'KILLER WHALE'. Bottom left is a profile bird head facing to the right side with a crest as in first drawing and a row of three split ovoids at the bottom. At the bottom right, there reads at an angle 'THUNDER BIRD HEAD'. Bottom right is a left facing profile bird with an animal portrayed on the body, and a five-feathered wing and three-feathered tail to the right side. At the bottom left, there reads at an angle "THUNDER BIRD'.
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
- Made in 'Yalis (Alert Bay), British Columbia, Canada during 1969
- Collected during 1969
- Owned by Ralph Van Drielen and Enid Van Drielen before January 26, 1978
- Received from Enid Van Drielen (Donor) and Ralph Van Drielen (Donor) on January 26, 1978
What
- Name
- Drawing
- Identification Number
- Nb3.1425
- 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
- 0432/0013