Description:

Parr ᐸ (1893-1969), Kinngait (Cape Dorset)
UNTITLED (HUNTERS AND ANIMALS), 1961

graphite on paper
unsigned
24 x 18 in — 61 x 45.7 cm

Estimate: $4,000—6,000 CAD

  • Provenance: S. Family Collection, Toronto, ON
  • Dimensions: 24 x 18 in — 61 x 45.7 cm
  • Medium: graphite on paper
  • Notes: Untitled (Hunters and Animals) is one of three important early works by Parr in the present auction, all of which belong to a family of drawings which date to early 1961, the first year of the artist’s known output, prior to his move to Kinngait (Cape Dorset).

    Born in 1893 in an isolated camp on the southern shore of Baffin Island, Parr lived through a time of significant change for many Inuit. Despite this, like many early and mid-20th century Inuit artists, he lived much of his life in a manner similar to those before him, informed by a tradition that emphasised the proximity of physical and spiritual worlds.

    Parr had suffered a significant hunting accident in his prime, and by the time he started drawing– on the prompting of Terry Ryan in 1961– his ability to hunt was severely hampered. When Parr did start drawing, images flowed out of him with remarkable rapidity and apparent ease. During the last eight years of his life, Parr produced thousands of drawings on paper, just 33 of which were included in Cape Dorset’s releases in his lifetime.

    Parr is primarily known through his printed images, notable for their rhythmic composition and mysterious x-ray-like depictions of physical—or perhaps spiritual—anatomy. It is however in drawings such as the present works, with their immediacy and scattershot line, that the most direct encounter with Parr’s unique visions can be experienced.

    Marion E. Jackson and Drew Armour, Parr, His Drawings (Halifax: The Art Gallery Mount St. Vincent University, 1988)
    Terrence Ryan, Parr 1893-1969, A Print Retrospective (Kinngait: Kinngait Press, 1979)

    Untitled (Hunters and Animals) is one of forty-five works in the present auction from a pioneering and important Toronto collection of Inuit art, the S. Family Collection.

    Distinguished by its remarkable diversity, and uniformly high quality, the collection was built on over fifty years of dedication. Acquisitions were made both from the leading dealers and private collectors of the period, as well as directly from artists during several excursions to the north, including to Qamani'tuaq (Baker Lake), and Arviat.

    Although the S. Family organized a handful of exhibitions specializing in sculpture, many artworks from their personal collection have remained largely unknown to the collector community. Significant sculptures and graphics come from artists including Davie Atchealak, Ooviloo Tunillie, Parr, John Tiktak, Joe Talirunili, Kiugak Ashoona, Nuna Parr, Aqjangajuk Shaa, and Mathew Aqigaaq.
  • Condition: Please contact the specialist for further condition information.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

The Auctioneers will not undertake packing or shipping. The purchaser must designate and arrange for the services of an independent shipper and be responsible for all shipping and insurance expenses. The Auctioneers will, upon request, provide names of professional packers and shippers but will not be held responsible for the service or have any liability for providing this information. Reliable pre-auction estimates of shipping costs of lots offered in this sale may be obtained from:

PICK UP & SHIPPING FROM TORONTO:

When contacting the shippers please have your invoice # and item information ready.

PakShip
Attn: Taurus Chan
Tel: 905.470.6874
416.293.8225
Fax: 905.470.6875
[email protected]
www.pakship.ca

Safer Shipping
Attn: Perry Hehn
Tel: 416.299.3367
Fax: 416.299.9750
[email protected]
www.safershipping.ca

PICK UP & SHIPPING FROM VANCOUVER:

Please note that lots in our Waddington's West auctions are located in Vancouver, B.C. When contacting the shippers please have your invoice # and item information ready.

Flashpack
Attn: Wing Liu
Tel: 604-270-8989
[email protected]

Denbigh Fine Art Services
Tel: 604-876-3303
[email protected]

Armstrong Fine Art Services
Tel: 905-362-5487
[email protected]

The UPS Store 424
Tel: 604-559-5446
[email protected]

PakMail in Coquitlam
Tel: 604-472-6245
[email protected]
www.pakmailcanada.com

For any additional questions, please contact us at [email protected]

CITES WARNING:
Restrictions exist regarding the import and export of species protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). This includes but is not limited to items made of or containing bone (whalebone etc.), ivory, tortoise shell, seal skin, rhinoceros horn and any other animal part and is strictly controlled or forbidden by most countries. Please review your country's laws before bidding on pieces made of or containing these restricted items. It is the sole responsibility of the buyer to inquire about and obtain the proper permits for artwork purchased that may contain restricted materials, if such permit can be obtained. Please contact the department for further assistance. For more information please visit www.cites.org

November 20, 2025 6:00 PM EST
Toronto, ON, CA

Waddington's

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $25,000:
25.00%
$25,001+:
22.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
CA$0 CA$199 CA$10
CA$200 CA$499 CA$20
CA$500 CA$999 CA$50
CA$1,000 CA$1,999 CA$100
CA$2,000 CA$4,999 CA$200
CA$5,000 CA$9,999 CA$500
CA$10,000 CA$19,999 CA$1,000
CA$20,000 CA$49,999 CA$2,000
CA$50,000 CA$99,999 CA$5,000
CA$100,000 CA$299,999 CA$10,000
CA$300,000 CA$999,999 CA$25,000
CA$1,000,000 CA$1,999,999 CA$50,000
CA$2,000,000 CA$2,999,999 CA$100,000
CA$3,000,000 CA$4,999,999 CA$200,000
CA$5,000,000 + CA$300,000