James Houston
Encyclopedia
James Archibald Houston, OC
, FRSA (June 12, 1921 – April 17, 2005) was a Canadian
artist, designer, children's author and film-maker who played an important role in the recognition of Inuit art
and introduced printmaking to the Inuit. The name "Saumik" was attributed to him by Inuit, which means "the left-handed one".
, he studied art as a child with Arthur Lismer
and was educated at the Ontario College of Art (1938–1940), Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris
(1947–1948) and in Japan
(1958–1959) where he studied printmaking. He fought in World War II
with the Toronto Scottish Regiment receiving the Canadian Active Service Medal. After the war, he went to the Eastern Arctic to paint and lived there for twelve years. He was a Northern Service Officer and Civil Administrator of west Baffin Island
. In 1962, he moved to New York and became Associate Director of Design with Steuben Glass.
A man who moved effortlessly and with great success between different activities, perhaps his biggest accomplishment was his work in the Eastern Arctic of Canada, developing Inuit art. In 1948, Houston traveled to a small Inuit community in Arctic-Quebec, Inukjuak
(then Port Harrison), to draw and paint the Inuit and the Arctic landscape. He traded his own drawings, done on the spot, with a small carving of a seated deer, by Nayoumealuk. Houston recognized its aesthetic appeal and returned to the Canadian Handicrafts Guild, in Montreal
, with roughly a dozen small carvings done mostly in steatite. The Guild, which had tried as early as the 1920s to foster an Inuit-handicrafts market, was impressed with the carving; they were equally impressed by the man, himself. The Guild secured a Federal Government grant of $1100 and sent Houston back north in the summer of 1949 to make bulk purchases in various communities in the Eastern Arctic. When Houston returned to Montreal that fall, the Guild mounted their first exhibition of "Eskimo Carving". According to collector Ian Lindsay, the first exhibition was a complete sell-out. The Government put more resources into developing an art and handicrafts market in the Arctic, hiring Houston to live in Cape Dorset as the first "roving crafts officer", and tapping him to write promotional material for sales in the south. Fall sales exhibitions at the Guild became annual affairs, with lineups routinely stretching out the door and down the block, on Peel Street. By the late 1950s, the Government had sponsored tours of Inuit art through Eastern and Western Europe, South America, and the Middle East. After successfully launching Inuit sculpture, Houston introduced printmaking in 1957, which met with the same success. Houston lived in Cape Dorset with his wife Alma Houston until 1962, when the couple split, he moved to New York City.
He was the writer and producer of the 1974 film based on his novel, The White Dawn
.
He died in New London
, Connecticut
, aged 83.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, FRSA (June 12, 1921 – April 17, 2005) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
artist, designer, children's author and film-maker who played an important role in the recognition of Inuit art
Inuit art
Inuit art refers to artwork produced by Inuit people, that is, the people of the Arctic previously known as Eskimos, a term that is now often considered offensive outside Alaska...
and introduced printmaking to the Inuit. The name "Saumik" was attributed to him by Inuit, which means "the left-handed one".
Biography
Born in Toronto, OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, he studied art as a child with Arthur Lismer
Arthur Lismer
Arthur Lismer, CC was an English-born Canadian painter and member of the Group of Seven.-Early life:At age 13 he apprenticed at a photo-engraving company. He was awarded a scholarship, and used this time to take evening classes at the Sheffield School of Arts from 1898 until 1905...
and was educated at the Ontario College of Art (1938–1940), Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
(1947–1948) and in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
(1958–1959) where he studied printmaking. He fought in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
with the Toronto Scottish Regiment receiving the Canadian Active Service Medal. After the war, he went to the Eastern Arctic to paint and lived there for twelve years. He was a Northern Service Officer and Civil Administrator of west Baffin Island
Baffin Island
Baffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest island in the world. Its area is and its population is about 11,000...
. In 1962, he moved to New York and became Associate Director of Design with Steuben Glass.
A man who moved effortlessly and with great success between different activities, perhaps his biggest accomplishment was his work in the Eastern Arctic of Canada, developing Inuit art. In 1948, Houston traveled to a small Inuit community in Arctic-Quebec, Inukjuak
Inukjuak, Quebec
Inukjuak , alternatively spelled Inoucdjouac, former name and current postal name Port Harrison, is an Inuit settlement located on Hudson Bay at the mouth of the Innuksuak River in the Nunavik region of northern Quebec, Canada. Its population is 1,294...
(then Port Harrison), to draw and paint the Inuit and the Arctic landscape. He traded his own drawings, done on the spot, with a small carving of a seated deer, by Nayoumealuk. Houston recognized its aesthetic appeal and returned to the Canadian Handicrafts Guild, in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, with roughly a dozen small carvings done mostly in steatite. The Guild, which had tried as early as the 1920s to foster an Inuit-handicrafts market, was impressed with the carving; they were equally impressed by the man, himself. The Guild secured a Federal Government grant of $1100 and sent Houston back north in the summer of 1949 to make bulk purchases in various communities in the Eastern Arctic. When Houston returned to Montreal that fall, the Guild mounted their first exhibition of "Eskimo Carving". According to collector Ian Lindsay, the first exhibition was a complete sell-out. The Government put more resources into developing an art and handicrafts market in the Arctic, hiring Houston to live in Cape Dorset as the first "roving crafts officer", and tapping him to write promotional material for sales in the south. Fall sales exhibitions at the Guild became annual affairs, with lineups routinely stretching out the door and down the block, on Peel Street. By the late 1950s, the Government had sponsored tours of Inuit art through Eastern and Western Europe, South America, and the Middle East. After successfully launching Inuit sculpture, Houston introduced printmaking in 1957, which met with the same success. Houston lived in Cape Dorset with his wife Alma Houston until 1962, when the couple split, he moved to New York City.
He was the writer and producer of the 1974 film based on his novel, The White Dawn
The White Dawn
The White Dawn is a Canadian film, released in 1974, and directed by Philip Kaufman and stars Warren Oates, Timothy Bottoms, and Louis Gossett, Jr. It portrays the conflict between aboriginal peoples' traditional way of life and Europeans' eagerness to take advantage of them. The film employs...
.
He died in New London
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, aged 83.
Honours
- He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
- He was an honorary member of the College of Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographical SocietyRoyal Canadian Geographical SocietyThe Royal Canadian Geographical Society is a Canadian non-profit educational organization dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada — its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges.-History:The...
. - In 1972 he was made an Officer of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. - In 1972 he was awarded a Doctor of Literature, honoris causa, from Carleton UniversityCarleton UniversityCarleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
. - In 1975 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Rhode Island CollegeRhode Island CollegeRhode Island College is a nationally ranked, coeducational, state-supported comprehensive college founded in 1854, located in Providence, Rhode Island, USA...
. - In 1979 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of DesignRhode Island School of DesignRhode Island School of Design is a fine arts and design college located in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1877. Located at the base of College Hill, the RISD campus is contiguous with the Brown University campus. The two institutions share social, academic, and community resources and...
. - In 1977 he won the Vicky Metcalf AwardVicky Metcalf AwardThe Vicky Metcalf Award is awarded to a writer whose body of work has been "inspirational to Canadian youth." It is one of the top awards for Canadian children's writers. The award was named after Vicky Metcalf...
. - In 1981 he was made an Honorary Fellow, Ontario College of Art.
- In 1987 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law from Dalhousie UniversityDalhousie UniversityDalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
. - In 1997 he was awarded the Massey MedalMassey MedalThe Royal Canadian Geographical Society awards the Massey Medal annually to recognize outstanding personal achievement in the exploration, development or description of the geography of Canada. The award was established in 1959, by the Massey Foundation, named for industrialist Hart...
from the Royal Canadian Geographical SocietyRoyal Canadian Geographical SocietyThe Royal Canadian Geographical Society is a Canadian non-profit educational organization dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada — its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges.-History:The...
.
Books for children
- Akavak: An Eskimo Journey, 1968.
- Black Diamonds: A Search for Arctic Treasure, 1982.
- Drifting Snow: An Arctic Search, 1992, winner of the 1993 Governor General's Awards
- Eagle Mask: A West Coast Indian Tale, 1966.
- The Falcon Bow: An Arctic Legend, 1986.
- Frozen Fire: A Tale of Courage, 1977.
- Ghost Paddle: A Northwest Coast Indian Tale, 1972.
- Ice Swords: An Undersea Adventure, 1985.
- Kiviok's Magic Journey: An Eskimo Legend, 1973.
- Long Claws: An Arctic Adventure, 1981.
- River Runners: A Tale of Hardship and Bravery, 1979, winner of the 1980 Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award.
- Tikta'liktak: An Eskimo Legend, 1965, winner of the 1966 Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award.
- The White Archer: An Eskimo Legend, 1967, winner of the 1968 Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award.
- Whiteout, 1991
- Wolf Run: A Caribou Eskimo Tale, 1971.
Books for adults
- Confessions of an Igloo Dweller, 1995.
- Eagle Song: An Indian Saga Based on True Events, 1983.
- Eskimo Graphic Art: 1964-1965, 1965.
- Eskimo Handicrafts, 1951.
- Eskimo Prints, 1967.
- Ghost Fox, 1977.
- Hideaway: Life on the Queen Charlotte Islands, 1999.
- The Ice Master: A Novel of the Arctic, 1997.
- Ojibwa Summer, 1972.
- Running West, 1989.
- Songs of the Dream People, 1972.
- Spirit Wrestler, 1980.
- The White Dawn: An Eskimo Saga, 1971.
- Zigzag: A Life on the Move, 1998.
External links
- Houston North Gallery
- James Houston fonds at Library and Archives Canada