Untitled (Owl and Birds) is a quintessential Kenojuak image bursting with life and incredible colour sensibility. Especially lovely is the opalescent hue of the plumage, made by combining pink and purple coloured pencil marks. The work is also executed with near-perfect symmetry yet made unique due to the slight variations inherent in drawings, versus the perfection of prints. Like many of Kenojuak’s most sought after graphics, a gorgeous bouquet of florals and leaves bursts outward from the central owl. Yet what remains different from most of her work is the notable absence of warm colours like red and yellow. Instead, purple and magenta tones dominate this beautiful piece, as the artist indicates a tendency toward a cool palette here—even the green exhibits cooler undertones.

PF