Nancy Saunders Art Appraisal

Original Mixed Media Artwork by Niap (Nancy Saunders)

This is an original contemporary artwork by the acclaimed Inuk artist Niap (Nancy Saunders). The piece features a central, orb-like form rendered in a textured blue-grey wash, possibly ink or watercolor, on a rectangular sheet of off-white art paper with distinctive deckled or hand-torn edges. The composition is bisected by fine, sharp black lines resembling traditional Inuit tattoo patterns (kakiniit), with converging lines at the top forming a 'V' shape and parallel vertical lines at the base. These minimalist geometric elements are characteristic of Niap's style, which often explores Inuk identity and traditional practices through a modern lens. The paper shows slight undulations consistent with hand-applied wet media. It is professionally float-mounted against a slate-grey mat, creating a three-dimensional effect that showcases the paper's raw edges. The artwork is housed in a modern grey wood-grain finished frame with clean mitred corners. The condition appears excellent with no visible foxing, staining, or UV damage to the pigments. The execution displays high-level craftsmanship, balancing technical precision in the linework with organic fluidity in the central circle. Based on the artist's career trajectory, this piece likely dates from the mid-to-late 2010s to the early 2020s.