James Kivetoruk Moses


Inupiat/Inupiak, (1900-1982), untitled, pen and ink wash on card stock, signed lower right, unframed. size 14 1/4in x 10 1/4in
|Accompanying the lot is a handwritten letter by the artist's wife Bessie, dated August 12, 1975:"This pretty girl is from N. East Siberia. Her uncle and her folks were well to do family and they came across to our mainland from there every spring after spring to trade more than one skin or whole lot of them come same time all the way to Katzebue. They brought reindeer skins black and spotted skins, wolverines and wolfs skins to trade with all kinds of furs. This girl came with her mother because the father had to take care of their business. She was helpful and good to the people and everybody learn to love her every place. They want to help them on account of her wanting to marry. But since they were traveling the mother + father wouldn't leave her behind being the only girl. You heard Kivetoruk tell you he would have mind to have her even going to N.E. Cape. Hope the true happening is a good story. So long + good-byBy Bessie Moses"