To tell the truth, I cannot accurately remember when I first met John and Joyce Price. I know that I had recently completed my studies at McGill (in 1984) and had begun working full time at the gallery. One day I sold two major pieces to a lovely couple from the Seattle area and the husband asked if I knew their friends John and Joyce Price. When I said that I did not know the Prices, the gentleman said that he would be happy to make the introduction. What followed was a decades long personal and professional relationship with two of the most wonderful people that one could ever hope to meet.
There are many different types of Inuit art collectors; some collect only sculpture and others only works on paper. Some collect by theme and others by artist or region. What truly sets the Prices apart from the pack is that their tastes are as eclectic as they are discerning. Their methodology seems to be equal parts encyclopaedic and enthusiastic. Over our numerous conversations, they could see through the chatter and, whether the process was cerebral or visceral, could decide if an artwork was something they "needed" to acquire.
As a result of this collecting style, the Prices were able to amass a collection of artworks of disproportionately high quality. They were as enthusiastic about talented artists who were new to the art scene as they were to the early masters or their dear friend Kenojuak Ashevak. John and Joyce were early champions of many younger artists who went on to become important names in the Inuit art world. The Prices made numerous trips to the arctic and were happy to host numerous visiting Inuit artists either at their home in Washington State or in the neutral territory of Toronto.
I am truly honoured that, now that the time has come to pass their treasures on to a younger generation of Inuit art collectors, the Prices have offered me the opportunity to help with the transition. This is the first of two Price exhibitions and features works on paper and cloth. The second exhibition of sculpture will follow in early December.