Breaching
$850.00
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Description
‘Untitled – Breaching’ by Qavavau Manumie — this Cape Dorset 2025 original drawing in coloured pencil and pentel on black paper is a striking, beautifully focused masterwork of contemporary Arctic marine wildlife draftsmanship.
Condition: No condition noted.
Description by Artist: No description by artist found.
Notes from DaVic Gallery: In “Untitled – Breaching,” Qavavau Manumie captures the quiet power of a whale rising cleanly through the sea, offering an intimate yet commanding window into the rhythm of Arctic marine life. Measuring a beautifully balanced 15 x 22 1/4 inches, the composition relies on the deep, natural dark of the black paper to give the entire scene an atmospheric, underwater depth. By enclosing the drawing within a fine, hand-drawn linear border, Manumie allows the unworked black margins of the paper to frame the piece, giving it an immediate, self-contained elegance.
Based in the historic creative epicenter of Kinngait (Cape Dorset), Manumie is highly regarded for his clean line work and precise observations of nature. This drawing reflects the foundational Inuit cultural value of Tunnganarniq—fostering deep respect, connection, and a peaceful harmony within the natural environment—by focusing on a singular, powerful moment of animal expression. Rather than treating the sea as a cold void, Manumie channels a calm appreciation for Sila (the overarching breath and movement of the world), organizing this timeless narrative into a quiet, beautifully structured layout:
- The Kinetic Ascent: A single bowhead whale (Agviq) arcs gracefully upward from the lower left corner, its dark body cutting across the horizon to evoke a strong sense of upward momentum.
- The Texture of the Deep: The whale’s underbelly is finely detailed with soft, layered white and grey lines that mimic the smooth plates of baleen, while delicate yellow-green spots along its jaw and flukes subtly suggest barnacle growth and natural weathering.
- The Dual Horizon: The background is split into two distinct fields of tone—a deep, navy-blue sea below and a lighter, misty blue-grey sky above—both meticulously built up with fine coloured pencil strokes that allow the black of the paper to peek through, creating a beautiful play of twilight shadow.
- The Splashing Wake: At the base of the ascent, a soft flurry of energetic white pencil lines perfectly captures the froth and churn of the water as the whale breaks the surface.
Manumie’s choice of a restrained palette—deep blues, muted greens, and crisp whites—keeps the viewer’s focus entirely on the graceful form of the whale itself. It is a wonderfully grounded, honest work that avoids unnecessary performance, letting the simple strength of the imagery invite contemplation and a personal connection to the vastness of the North.
From a collection standpoint, original works by a senior master of Manumie’s generation executed on black paper are increasingly sought after for their unique display presence. This pristine 2025 drawing offers an exceptional, stable opportunity to introduce a sophisticated piece of contemporary Inuit draftsmanship into any private collection.
The blank sheet of letter-size (8 1/2 x 11 inches) paper visible in the final reference image provides immediate scale context, underscoring the drawing’s versatile dimensions, clean horizontal rhythm, and ease of display.
Copyright Note:
© DaVic Art Gallery, 2026. All rights reserved. Content may be quoted or reproduced for educational or promotional purposes only with clear attribution to DaVic Art Gallery of Native Canadian Arts and inclusion of the original artwork title and artist’s name.