ROY THOMAS (1949-2004) ANISHINAABE (OJIBWE)
Turtle Slowly Teaching us the Law of Honesty, Kindness and Sharing and Strength, 1984
acrylic on heavy rag paper, 18 x 24 in (45.7 x 61 cm)
signed and, dated "Roy Thomas / 84";
inscribed with artist's crow insignia;
titled in graphite by the artist, verso, "Turtle slowly teaching / us the law of honesty / kindness and sharing / and strength".
signed and, dated "Roy Thomas / 84";
inscribed with artist's crow insignia;
titled in graphite by the artist, verso, "Turtle slowly teaching / us the law of honesty / kindness and sharing / and strength".
LOT 120
ESTIMATE: $800 — $1,200
PRICE REALIZED: $1,560.00
ESTIMATE: $800 — $1,200
PRICE REALIZED: $1,560.00
Turtle Slowly Teaching us the Law of Honesty, Kindness and Sharing and Strength reveals the artist's powerful narrative style. It tells of the important and inseparable tenants of Annishanaabe culture:...
Turtle Slowly Teaching us the Law of Honesty, Kindness and Sharing and Strength reveals the artist's powerful narrative style. It tells of the important and inseparable tenants of Annishanaabe culture: traditions of truth, sharing, mutual respect, harmony, and fortitude. Powerful design and highly saturated colours, the 'x-ray' style, adopted from Norval Morrissau, is used to reveal motifs that enliven the surface. From left to right on the facets of the turtle's shell, we see a pine tree; a totemic composition with a raven, bear, and fish; a helix form; and a set of mountains. Behind the turtle we note the cyan form of an eagle, a creature that is often associated with courage, as in the Seven Grandfather Teachings.
The crow insignia featured in the work reflects the name that he adopted after a disabled crow that he protected as a youth kept returning to him.
The crow insignia featured in the work reflects the name that he adopted after a disabled crow that he protected as a youth kept returning to him.
Provenance
By repute: Acquired directly from the artist by a Private Collection;D&J Ritchie's, Toronto, 7 December 1987, lot 47, illustrated p. 10;
Private Collection, Ontario;
Bequeathed to the present Private Collection, Hamilton.
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