Artwork
Totem Mother
Totem Mother is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Emily Carr. It dates from 1928 and is held in the collection of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Totem Mother is a 1928 oil painting by Emily Carr, a Canadian artist known for her depictions of Indigenous cultural forms and British Columbia landscapes.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features a totem pole with a human-like figure holding a smaller figure, likely representing a mother and child. The neutral expressions and calm composition convey a sense of serenity.
Technique & Style
Carr worked in a post-impressionist style, using earth tones and simple composition to create a sense of calmness. The totem pole is depicted in shades of brown against a blue and green background.
History & Provenance
The painting is held in the collection of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Carr's work also extended to writing; her first book, Klee Wyck, received the Governor General's Literary Award for non-fiction in 1941.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Emily Carr (December 13, 1871 – March 2, 1945) was a Canadian artist who was inspired by the monumental art and villages of the First Nations and the landscapes of British Columbia.
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