PUDLO PUDLAT (1916-1992) KINNGAIT (CAPE DORSET)
Spirit's Domain, 1964 (Cape Dorset Archival Collection, 2004 #3)
Printmaker: EEGYVUDLUK POOTOOGOOK (1931-1999) KINNGAIT (CAPE DORSET)
stonecut, 24.5 x 20 in (62.2 x 50.8 cm)

Provenance
A Toronto Collection.

In this captivating print, the spirits are housed within three distinct registers, with each register characterized by a rigidly geometric form. This structured approach to the composition stands in stark contrast to the organically shaped entities that it contains, creating a visually intriguing dichotomy. The almost vertical symmetry of this Spirit's Domain is particularly striking. It's as though the sheet could be folded in half, yet things are slightly askew and there is a touch of dissonance. This deliberate imbalance not only prompts us to examine the image more closely but also introduces a subtle sense of unease that is most appropriate for a realm of spirits. These figures, however, exude a macabre charm that is far from frightening. Instead, they appear mischievous and delightful, inviting us into their whimsical world. Even the spirit at the centre of the image seems to welcome us with a smile.

Although not released until the early 2000s, the distinct form of these figures are unmistakably from Pudlo’s early body of work, created using graphite. This simple drawing instrument was employed to fashion silhouettes that evolved in print into flat regions of color for stenciling or blocking. The power and energy of these stark, straightforward images stem from a skillful use of negative and positive space, where the white of the background also becomes an integral part of the image. In his later years, Pudlo mentioned that he found the pencil too restrictive. [1]

1. Pudlo, (Ottawa: Department of Northern and Indian Affairs, n.d. [c. 1981?]), pamphlet, unpag.