Drawing Item Number: Nb3.1431 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Right facing figure on cut out white-brown paper in orange felt pen and paint over pencil line drawing. Face at the top with a triangular appendage at the top, a u-shaped appendage to the left, and a large nose ? to the right. Whale-like face at the centre with various shapes to the centre. Smaller face at the bottom with a wing-like appendage behind. Pencil inscription across the bottom reads 'Norman Bell May 29-69'. Glued to blue, then white cardboard. The drawing is vertically rectangular. Covered with clear plastic.

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'.

Cultural Context

student art

Item History

What

Name
Drawing
Identification Number
Nb3.1431
Type of Item
drawing
Manufacturing Technique
drawn, glued and painted
Overall
height 71.3 cm, width 56.0 cm, depth 0.2 cm

Who

Culture
Kwakwaka'wakw
Creator
Norman Bell (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
on May 29, 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
0432/0019