Laina Geetah Appraisal

Stylized Owl Portrait by Laina Geetah

This is an original colored pencil drawing on paper by Cape Dorset artist Laina Geetah (Geta), depicting a stylized, front-facing owl. The artwork showcases the intricate linework and geometric patterns characteristic of Inuit graphic art. The owl's head features prominent, radiating darker grey and black lines around the facial discs, which contain pale, almond-shaped eyes. The body is composed of a dense series of overlapping feather patterns in a neutral palette of ochre, tan, charcoal, and ivory, utilizing chevrons and undulating lines to create texture and depth. The piece is housed in a contemporary, dark-toned metallic or wood frame with a narrow profile and is protected by glass. The composition uses a clean white background, common in contemporary Cape Dorset works, to emphasize the subject's form. The craftsmanship is evident in the meticulous layering of the pencil to achieve saturated earth tones. The condition appears excellent with no visible foxing, fading, or paper tears, though some reflections are present on the glass. This contemporary piece represents the continued evolution of Sanikiluaq or Cape Dorset artistic traditions into the early 21st century.