More Inuit sculpture

Peter Inukshuk (1896-1975), 1969

Giving up on the internet as a source for Inuit sculpture (too tourist-trap commercial),
I went to the art library today -- and browsed 10 books on the subject.

Ouch.

It didn't get much better -- it just got more clumsy
(or more authentically primitive ?)

To my surprise,
nothing I saw was older than 1950,
and I read that it was only in 1948
that concerned parties began to market Eskimo art
as in income opportunity for these cash-starved arctic villages.

(note: this coincides with the artworld's discovery of Haitian painting,
from another desperately poor (but warmer) corner of the world)

The ones I'm showing here are the ones I liked.




Isa Aqiattusuk Smiler (1921-1986), 1954

There seems to be a kind of magical moment,
when the carver forgets about cutting stone,
and the inner momentum of the shapes takes over.


Josiah Nuilaalik, 1963

99 out of a 100 never get there,
but when someone does,
he or she is just as good
as any sculptor
from the great civilizations
to the south






George Tataniq. 1963

It's that inner life that determines
when to keep a line unbroken,
and where to break a plane



George Tataniq, 1963




Aisapik Quma Igauja (1915-1979), 1961

Some sculptors need to keep things simple,
to keep them under control,
so they're almost like potters.

Can't you hear this bird singing?


Allie Appaqaq (1915-1976), 1960

Very few can elegantly handle a full human figure,
but it's sure sweet when they do.

(actually, this is two figures - if you count the intrepid seal)



Miriam Qiyuk (1933- ), 1987



Miriam Qiyuk (1933- ), 1975

This woman is one of the better known contemporaries.
She's found in many galleries, museum exhibitions, and even the NY Times,
and seems to come up with scenes
that are both beautiful and endearing.



Toona Iqulik (1935- ), 1978

She certainly is watching her volumes and silhouettes, isn't she ?

Just like an older contemporary from Vienna,
did in the following drawing:




(I just had to show this fine drawing by
Gustinus Ambrosi
that probably should have gone
into the last post)