Ashoona, Pitseolak (Canadian/Inuit 1904-1981). OWL AND FISH. Stone Cut in colors, 1967. Edition of 50. Titled, Inscribed "Dorset, 1967," and "Stonecut 29/50" and signed, all in pencil in the lower margin, and signed with the artist's chop in the stone. In excellent condition. About 16 x 18 inches (image) on a larger sheet. Pitseolak was born on Nottingham Island in the Northwest Terriories, growing up during a period which saw the twilight of the tradional Inuit lifestyle of hunting, fishing, and gathering. Her husband died at age 40, and of their 17 children, only five survived past infancy. As a means of helping her to raise her family, she turned to art, and made over 7000 artworks of which 233 were prints, illustrating, in her words, "the things we did before there were many white men." She was a member of the Royal Canadian Academy and was awarded the Order of Canada in 1977. She continues to be recognized as one of the leading artists of Canada's native art tradition.
