Beluga Whale

Provenance

The Jerry Litman Collection, Kenora;By descent to present Private Collection, WinnipegAs a resident of Kenora and later Winnipeg, Dr. Jerry Litman (1928 - 2020) brought a genuine excitement to collecting works of Indigenous art that reflected the communities in which he worked. Dr. Litman practiced as a dentist in remote areas of Ontario and Manitoba where there was limited access to dental services, and worked with Indigenous communities in these areas.It was through this work that Litman encountered many remarkable artists, including Josh Kakegamic and Norval Morrisseau. With an eye for quality and a love for this flourishing art movement, Dr. Litman collected over 250 paintings by First Nations and Inuit artists.Much of the Litman collection has been dispersed among museums and university collections close to the family's heart, notably the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg and "The Muse" - Douglas Family Art Centre in Kenora. Auction has closed Closed: Sep 24, 08:14:00 PM CDT Ends in 01 day and 00 hour Closing: Sep 24, 08:14:00 PM CDT Register or login for real-time results Auction Estimate $300.00 - $400.00 Next bid is $175.00 Login or register to participate Login or register to bid on items and view real-time bidding details. Paddle Registration Follow Lot Follow Artist Ask A Question Find Similar ID: 41-14462-2226773 Noah Napatchie 1927 - 1980 Noah Napatchi was an Inuit printmaker and carver born in the South Baffin region of the Northwest Territories (now Nunavut). He spent his early life following a traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle, hunting and traveling across the southern coast of Baffin Island before settling in Kinngait (Cape Dorset) during the mid-twentieth century.Napatchi emerged as an early participant in the graphic arts and carving movement initiated in Kinngait in the late 1950s. Working primarily in stone cut, stencil, and drawing, his visual output documented regional wildlife, Arctic hunting practices, and traditional spiritual beliefs. His work often depicted human figures interacting with indigenous fauna, including seals, walruses, and polar bears. Alongside his graphic works, he produced soapstone sculptures that emphasized solid forms and traditional subject matter.Throughout his career, Napatchi contributed drawings and prints to the annual Cape Dorset print releases during the 1960s and 1970s. His work was featured in early survey exhibitions of Inuit graphic arts organized by Canadian public galleries. Today, his prints and sculptures are held in permanent public museum collections, including the National Gallery of Canada and the Winnipeg Art Gallery. He lived and worked in Kinngait until his death in 1980.