Can you tell me about this...Wolf?
I certainly can! It does indeed look like a wolf. This print, "Lost," by Inuit artist Pataloosie Saila. She lives in Cape Dorset, which is in the Nunavet Territory of Canada and works in the Kinngait artists co-op there.
We don't have much information on the wolf itself, but plenty on the life of the artist! She was born in 1942 and spent her childhood years in various hospitals in the south in Quebec and
Ontario for treatment of tuberculosis. She learned English during this time, and recalls the
difficulty she experienced in relearning her native language upon her return to Baffin Island in
1957. She is now one of the few of her generation who speak both English and Inuktitut fluently.
What drew you to this work? I love the beautiful rendering of the wolf's legs and shadow.
It's placement amongst the exhibit has it stand out. The style is also whimsical and fairly unique.
I have to agree with you there! It is an interesting contrast with the older ivory pieces below. The whimsy of the piece stands out but connects to the smaller pieces. If you like this print, there are a few rotating prints by Inuit artists in the "Life, Death, and Transformation" exhibition on this floor; I would highly recommend them.