CARL RAY (1943-1978) CREE
Bird with Hatchlings, Swallowed Fish, and a Wolf, 1977
acrylic on canvas, 24 x 30 in (61 x 76.2 cm), framed
signed and dated, ᑲᕒᐣ ᐅᕒᓀ CARL RAY /77".

Provenance
Waddington's, Toronto, 17 November 2011, Lot 178;
Acquired from the above by the present Private Collection, Toronto.

As an integral originator of the Professional Native Indian Artists Inc., Carl Ray, a self-educated artist in painting and printmaking, emerged prominently in the art scene. His encounter with Norval Morrisseau during their collaborative endeavours for Expo '67 in Montreal in the late 1960s was pivotal. This meeting propelled Ray to the forefront of the "Woodland School" movement, which aimed to rejuvenate the traditional cultural expressions and symbols of the Indigenous peoples from the heartland of Canada. The present work reflects Ray's maturing finesse and colour sense.

In Bird with Hatchlings, Swallowed Fish, and a Wolf, Ray employs a vibrant colour scheme, with a canvas pulsating with the warmth of earthy browns, fiery oranges, and rich blues, all set against a pristine white background. The figures are detailed to their interiors with intricate patterns and the use of colour contrasts and complements each other, highlighting the interconnectedness of the figures within the space, and creating a harmonious balance within the composition.