Ashevak's Observant Owl is a stunning exploration of asymmetry, an underappreciated aspect of the artist's oeuvre, and radical colour. At the centre of the composition, the observant owl fixes its gaze directly upon the viewer. Exquisitely printed by Qiatsuq Niviaqsi, the owl's body is rendered with delicate textural marks that suggest a covering of short feathers. Behind it, a fiery gradient evokes the glow of a sunset, while an extravagant bouquet of feathers fans outward, encircling the owl like a flamboyant boa. Unlike the spectacular, often symmetrical plumage of the artist’s other owls, these tail feathers are unevenly balanced, lending greater weight to one side than the other, perhaps the charming result of having run out of space on the stonecut plate.

PF

We extend our gratitude to Emily Lawrence for her assistance in preparing this lot essay.