Waddington's

Major Spring Auction: Inuit Art

Auction begins to close:
May 29, 2025 at 6:00 pm ET

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LOT 27

Lot 27

Johnniebo Ashevak ᔭᓂᕗ ᐊᓴᕙ (1923-1972); Kenojuak Ashevak ᑭᓄᐊᔭᐊ ᐊᓯᕙ, CC, RCA (1927-2013), Kinngait (Cape Dorset)

Johnniebo Ashevak ᔭᓂᕗ ᐊᓴᕙ (1923-1972); Kenojuak Ashevak ᑭᓄᐊᔭᐊ ᐊᓯᕙ, CC, RCA (1927-2013), Kinngait (Cape Dorset)
Lot 27 Details
Johnniebo Ashevak ᔭᓂᕗ ᐊᓴᕙ (1923-1972); Kenojuak Ashevak ᑭᓄᐊᔭᐊ ᐊᓯᕙ, CC, RCA (1927-2013), Kinngait (Cape Dorset), Kinngait (Cape Dorset)

UNTITLED (BIRD WITH PLUMAGE), CA. 1970

felt tip on paper
signed in syllabics "Johnniebo" lower right; embossed with West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative blind stamp
sheet 20 x 26 in — 50.8 x 66 cm

Estimate $700-$900

Realised: $750
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

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Lot Report

Provenance:

Private Collection, New York, NY

Note:

The remarkable virtuoso talent of Kenojuak, her early popularity among collectors, and the untimely death of Jonniebo Ashevak in 1972, have all contributed to lessening the attention on Kenojuak’s first husband in the artistic development of the couple’s styles. Further obscuring his role, the two artists sometimes opted to sign works by Jonniebo “Kenojuak” or visa versa, although more often signing “Kenojuak” to take advantage of the higher prices her works garnered.[1]

Jonniebo and Kenojuak worked closely together, and shared many stylistic devices. The present work is signed Johnniebo, however notably shares characteristics with a circa 1970 drawing by Kenojuak, sold by Waddington’s in August 2023 https://www.waddingtons.ca/auction/inuit-art-sculpture-graphics-aug-24-2023/gallery/lot/47/.

[1] Richard Crandall, Inuit Art, A History (Jefferson: McFarland & Company, 2000), 142.

CONDITION DETAILS

Very good overall condition.
Some cockling and minor discolouration at edges.
Unframed.

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LOT 27
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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.