A now-famous quotation by Kenojuak, repeated in nearly every publication on the artist, reads, “I am an owl and I am a happy owl. I like to make people happy and everything happy. I am the light of happiness and I am a dancing owl.” Happy Little Owl feels like a direct embodiment of these words. The central figure is buoyant, theatrical, and radiating outward, as though happiness were something it cannot contain and its wide circular eyes and small hooked beak give it an almost delighted expression. The symmetry is careful, but not stiff so that the splayed wings and lifted talons allow the figure to feel weightless, suspended, and joyfully present so that “I am a dancing owl” feels visually true as well.

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