Drawing Item Number: Nb3.1424 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Profile pencil line drawing of a stylized bird with a six-plumed tail and/or wing to the right, a head at the top facing in profile to the left side, and having a limb that stretches out to the left side at the bottom. Bird has a long neck and a slightly crooked beak with a crest on top of the head. Design elements include circles, u forms, and split u's. Cross hatched u form near the centre of the body. Scribbled pencil lines surround the image with 'CRANE' written below and 'PETER STEWART' written on the top left corner. On a horizontally rectangular, white card glued to a green card with the same orientation 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. 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