**First Time At Auction**

Pitaloosie Saila (Inuit of Cape Dorset/Kinngait, 1942-2021) "Family of Twins" stonecut on paper, 1971. Edition 18 of 50. Signature, title, edition number, and date in pencil below. A fascinating stonecut by Pitaloosie Saila, an Inuit artist of Cape Dorset known for her mother and child imagery, "Family of Twins" presents a mother carrying her two babies in one amauti as was the tradition, this union symbolizing their strong bond. Below are two abstract zoomorphs. The twins do not appear to be identical, one may be male and the other female. In years past, if a mother gave birth to twins, one had to be given away or killed, as it was thought that two children could not be raised simultaneously. Usually, girls were sacrificed, as boys were expected to help suppor their parents when they reached adulthood. Prints like this example are a significant means of storytelling and preserving knowledge of traditions as well as demonstrating pride in Inuit history and culture. Size (sight view): 16" L x 19" W (40.6 cm x 48.3 cm) Size (frame): 23.8" L x 26.5" W (60.5 cm x 67.3 cm)

Artist Statement: "I remember how Inuit used to live, thinking of them back then, my relatives. I also recall how the clothing was made; that is what I base my drawings on when I draw people."

Artist Biographical Statement: "Pitaloosie was born in 1942 on the southwest coast of Baffin Island near what is now the community of Cape Dorset. She spent her childhood years in various hospitals 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.

Pitaloosie began drawing in the early 1960's, and quickly established herself as a versatile and intelligent graphic artist. Over the years, she has become a familiar presence in the Kinngait Studios, and her work has been included in annual print collections since 1968.

Since the late 1960's, Pitaloosie has made frequent trips to southern Canada to attend exhibitions and conferences. In 1967, she spent several weeks in Toronto while her husband, the well-known sculptor Pauta Saila, participated in an International Sculpture Symposium. Subsequently, she has visited Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa, Kansas City and Vermont. Her work has been featured in solo drawing exhibitions, and in 1977, Canada Post issued a stamp depicting her print, Fisherman's Dream. Her 1985 lithograph entitled In the Hills represented the Northwest Territories in the centennial celebration of the National Parks of Canada. Amnesty International, the international human rights organization, selected a drawing by Pitaloosie entitled Mother and Child to use for their 1990 Christmas card. She was also one of nine featured artists in the acclaimed exhibition Isumavut: The Artistic Expression of Nine Cape Dorset Women, which opened at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in the fall of 1994 and continues to travel to other venues. Pitaloosie’s husband, Pauta, passed away in Cape Dorset in June of 2009 at the age of 93. In 2004, both she and Pauta were appointed members of the Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts, in recognition of their life’s work and contributions to Canadian art." (Dorset Fine Arts)

Provenance: private John Lindemann collection, Broomfield, Colorado, USA, inherited from brother, Eugene Lindemann, Brooklyn, New York, USA, acquired in Saskatchewan, Canada, early 1970s

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#178021

Signature, title, edition number, and date in pencil below. Stonecut is mounted behind glass in custom double matte and frame. Not examined outside the frame but appears to be in very good save slight crease marks and slight toning. Frame has minor scuffs but is otherwise intact and very nice. "Jubilee Gallery 7 88 117 Henry St. Brooklyn Hts." handwritten on gallery paper on verso. Fit with suspension wire.