Stencil

JOHNNIEBO ASHEVAK (1923-1972)

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and/or KENOJUAK ASHEVAK CC RCA (1927-) Printmaker: KANANGINAK POOTOOGOOK (1935-2010) CAPE DORSET, Hare Spirits, 1960 #18

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Stencil, 33/50, 19 x 24 in, 48.3 x 61 cm

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This print was attributed to Kenojuak in the catalogue, but Sandra Barz notes that both Dorothy Eber and Terry Ryan have questioned that attribution. Eber makes a pretty strong case, basing the re-attribution on this and several other prints on conversations with Kenojuak in 1972 (see her article "Johnniebo: time to set the record straight" in Canadian Forum, January 1973, 6-9). Nonetheless this print, the great "A Vision of Animals" and others re-attributed to Johnniebo by Eber were included in Blodgett's 1985 book Kenojuak.

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Sorting out this confusion greatly enhances Johnniebo's reputation as an artist, without diminishing that of Kenojuak. It does not affect the importance of "Hare Spirits," which remains one of the great masterpieces of early Cape Dorset graphic art.