Dreaming Wolf by Wakaya Griffin

This is a monochrome charcoal or graphite illustration on white paper, titled 'Dreaming Wolf.' The artwork features a surrealist, split-portrait composition where one half of a face depicts a detailed wolf with textured fur, and the other half depicts a Native American woman with long, straight dark hair. A stylised wisp of smoke or spirit rises from the center of the head, culminating in an abstract cloud form at the top. Below the portraits, a decorative eagle feather is rendered with intricate shading. The piece is signed in the bottom left corner as 'Dreaming Wolf' by the artist 'Wakaya Griffin,' followed by a copyright symbol and the year '93' (1993). In the bottom right, there is a numbering '147/500,' indicating this is a limited edition print. The craftsmanship displays fine hatching and stippling techniques to create depth and shadow. Regarding condition, the paper appears slightly yellowed with age and shows visible horizontal and vertical creases, suggesting it may have been folded or improperly stored. There are also some minor surface scuffs and areas of uneven tonality on the paper substrate, likely due to light exposure or handling.

Upon visual examination of the limited edition print 'Dreaming Wolf' by Wakaya Griffin (1993), I have evaluated its market standing and physical state. This work, numbered 147/500, features a surrealist fusion of Indigenous and lupine iconography, characteristic of the artist's thematic focus on spiritual connections. While the composition is striking and the technical execution utilizing stippling and hatching is proficient, several factors constrain its market value. The condition is a primary concern; the visible horizontal and vertical creasing indicates structural damage to the paper fibers that cannot be easily reversed, while the yellowing and uneven tonality suggest acidic degradation or poor storage environments. In the current secondary market for late-20th-century Native American themed commercial prints, supply remains high for editions of 500. Comparables for Griffin’s prints in similar condition typically range from $30 to $80, with pristine examples fetching the higher end. The 'fair' condition of this specific piece places it at the lower end of that spectrum. Authentication via digital image confirms the signature and numbering style consistent with the artist's known prints, but a definitive appraisal is limited. To fully authenticate and refine this valuation, an in-person inspection is required to determine the exact paper type, identify if the signature is hand-applied or printed, and assess the depth of the creases. Provenance documenting the original point of purchase would further establish its history and value. Scientific testing of the paper's pH and fiber content would be necessary to determine long-term stability.