With her face in an outlined profile view, as was Pitaloosie Saila's way, Young Sedna has a strong presence on the paper. Her bold blue body is likely the thing to take your attention first, as will her stance and pose. After that, the work almost reveals a secret to the viewer; a young Sedna, lying upon her mother's back, peeks over its shoulder. Small strands of hair float in the water, matching those loose on its mother's head, as they swim past. The scene holds a tenderness, visible to those to look for it.

1. Aquatint technique is not identified in the print's inscriptions.

AC

References: For further reading the artist’s life and work, see Susan Gustavison and Darlene Coward Wight, Pitaloosie Saila: A Personal Journey, (Winnipeg: Winnipeg Art Gallery), 2017, and Odette Leroux et al ed., Inuit Women Artists: Voices from Cape Dorset (Douglas & McIntyre/Canadian Museum of Civilization, 1994).