Angels in the Moon
$9,500.00
Available
Description
‘Angels in the Moon’ by Natsivaar – Inuit Art – Cape Dorset 1960 print collection presented by DaVic Gallery of Native Canadian Arts.
Condition: Good condition – Professionally restored to repair fading, yellowing and discoloration of the paper and three heavy tape marks from previous framing. Yellowing, discoloration and tape marks remain mildly visible as the type of paper used for this print allows only for gentle restoration treatment. Paper has been trimmed by approximately 1″ height and 1 ½” width, likely during previous framing work.
Description by Artist: No description by artist available.
Notes from DaVic Gallery: This rare print represents Christian influence on the traditional Inuit culture, brought to them by the missionaries in the 19th and 20th centuries. Perhaps Natsivaar in her imagination integrated the legend of Sister Sun and Brother Moon with Christian heavenly angels, who are visiting Brother Moon. Although the idea of the angels was borrowed from Christianity, Natsivaar’s depiction of them remains deeply Inuit, reflecting the faces and traditional dress of her community.
Note the unique background created by the printer, Iyola Kingwatsiak, to make it look like the heavens. Similarly to Tudlik’s 1959 “Bird Dream Forewarning Blizzards”, it seems that a previously folded material was inked and laid onto paper to create the background, leaving the marks of the folds in the background.
This is a striking, rare and sought-after print, created over six decades ago. Designed by Natsivaar, it was printed by Iyola Kingwatsiak, using Hamilton Victorian paper for a stonecut print. Perhaps because the paper absorbs less ink, the black colour in this print appears intense and thick.
The blank sheet of letter-size (8.5” x 11”) paper covering part of the image in the last picture is for size reference.
The above description is copyrighted and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. When using the copyrighted material, please credit DaVic Gallery of Native Canadian Arts.