Parr
Canadian Inuit, Kinngait, Cape Dorset, 1893 - 1969
Parr was a prolific graphic artist from Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU. Born in the Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin) Region of Nunavut in 1893, Parr lived a traditional nomadic hunting life with his wife Eleeshushe Parr until poor health and age forced them to relocate to Kinngait in late 1961. Encouraged by Terry Ryan, Parr began to draw in early 1961, while he was still living at Tassikjakjuak, a camp north of Kinngait. Parr and his wife had nine children, many of whom also became artists, undoubtedly influenced by their parents.
Parr is best known for his narrative drawings of animals, hunters and the hunt, he had little interest in illustrating Inuit legends or myths. Parr’s works are often regarded as a record for future generations of the traditional hunting and nomadic lifestyle of the Inuit. Over his artistic career, Parr favoured the stonecut and stencil method of printmaking, never fully embraced engraving. He also enjoyed using coloured pencil, pastel and felt-tip pen, in addition to graphite.
Although Parr did not begin his artistic pursuits until later in life, he was quite productive, creating over 2,000 drawings and contributing 34 prints to the annual Cape Dorset print collections. Parr’s works were largely unappreciated during his lifetime, often considered crude and child-like. After his death, however, his works became included in major exhibitions, and Parr’s print, Hunters of Old which was posthumously published in 1974, was later chosen for a 1977 Canadian postage stamp. His works have not yet been shown at the ULAG.
Parr is best known for his narrative drawings of animals, hunters and the hunt, he had little interest in illustrating Inuit legends or myths. Parr’s works are often regarded as a record for future generations of the traditional hunting and nomadic lifestyle of the Inuit. Over his artistic career, Parr favoured the stonecut and stencil method of printmaking, never fully embraced engraving. He also enjoyed using coloured pencil, pastel and felt-tip pen, in addition to graphite.
Although Parr did not begin his artistic pursuits until later in life, he was quite productive, creating over 2,000 drawings and contributing 34 prints to the annual Cape Dorset print collections. Parr’s works were largely unappreciated during his lifetime, often considered crude and child-like. After his death, however, his works became included in major exhibitions, and Parr’s print, Hunters of Old which was posthumously published in 1974, was later chosen for a 1977 Canadian postage stamp. His works have not yet been shown at the ULAG.