The Enchanted Owl

Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
Kenojuak Ashevak’s drawings and prints feature fantastical creatures and bold colors and forms. This captivating image of an arctic owl was among the first prints produced by the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative. It quickly became a Canadian icon, and in 1970 the print was chosen for the country’s commemorative stamp.
Caption
Kenojuak Ashevak Inuit, 1927–2013. The Enchanted Owl, 1960. Stone cut on paper, Sheet: 21 1/8 x 26 in. (53.7 x 66 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of George Klauber, 1998.122. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1998.122_PS1.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Artist
Title
The Enchanted Owl
Date
1960
Geography
Place made: Ikirisaq, Northwest Territories, Nunavut Territory, Canada
Medium
Stone cut on paper
Classification
Dimensions
Sheet: 21 1/8 x 26 in. (53.7 x 66 cm)
Signatures
Signed, lower right in graphite: "Kenojuak"
Inscriptions
Inscribed across lower edge, from left to right in graphite: "The Enchanted Owl. Stone Cut 2/50. Cape Dorset Baffin Island 1960. Kenojuak"
Markings
Lower right, vertical: Cape Dorset printer’s mark
Credit Line
Gift of George Klauber
Accession Number
1998.122
Rights
© artist or artist's estate
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Frequent Art Questions
Can you tell me about this?
Kenojuak Ashevak was constantly inspired by her experiences and memories of the Arctic as well as her own fantasies and imagination. Owls and other birds are a recurring motif.Mesmerizing!I agree—the way she uses color is so beautiful.I read her story. Very touching! I love the color here.
Yes, Kenojuak Ashevak is known for her bright colors. Later, she moved from stone printing into other techniques and eventually added sculpture and stained glass to her work, all in a bold graphic style that still favored images of birds.
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