An old carving from Anowtalik dating from 1974.

Anowtalik is a respected carver from Arviat (Eskimo Point). Carvers from Arviat work primarily with basalt stone, a very hard media to work with, which may explain their unique, almost modern, style with a minimum of lines.

One can find quite a few references to Luke Anowtalik on the web with a google search.

This carving of a sitting Inuk measures 4" x 3.5" x 4.5"


A lovely portrait of Anowtalik can be seen at:
http://www.portraitsofthenorth.com/portrait/lukeanowtalik.html

from which is the following quote: "Anowtalik started carving for income in Whale Cove and continued in Arviat. He was considered one the Keewatin region’s great founders of contemporary art."

A very nice sculpture of two ivory narwhals carved out of one tusk. The dimensions are 2.25" x 1.5" x 10" ( dimensions with the narwhals tusk) . The carving originates from Pangnirtung but I do not know who the carver is.

This is a whalebone carving of a hunter with pack by Isa Piungituk from Clyde River. I am not sure about the carver as the information I have gives the name as reproduced above. I do wonder if it is the same person as Regilee Piungituk. Names are not always unique in Inuit culture. there can be variations in spelling and variations in combinations of names. The measurements are 6.5" x 8" x 9" and this carving dates from 1973. What I find attractive about whalebone carvings is the eery sense, or the mystical, spiritual sense that very often goes with a whalebone carving. Maybe it is the bone material, or maybe it is the lack of details, the vagueness of the outlines.
This carving shows nicely the heavy burden that this hunter was under while traveling. The minimal details of he face do give a good sense of the stoic nature of the traveler.

This is a large kayak with hunter and seal, all in ivory. The kayak is mounted on stone base and has whalebone harpoons on the back. The dimensions of the carving without the base is 12"x 1.5" x 2.5". With the base the dimensions are: 12" x 2.5" x 3.5". The carving has an authenticity sticker underneath, but I can not make out who the carver is. I do know that it originally came from Pangnirtung . A nice older piece.

One of my favorite pieces: a carving by Bessie Crow from what used to be Belcher Island. And I would have to look up what its present day name is. This is a carving of a Ptarmigan, done in steatite, a lovely, very light colored stone. To me, it resembles a bit marble, and I guess I now have upset every geologist. But, it has that quality to me. I just love Bessie Crow's pieces, particular her ptarmigan carvings. They are so simple, yet so majestic, sphinx like almost. This particular ptarmigan, that I have held on to for a long time, measures 2.5" x 5.5" x 3.25"

Ok, what to say. Somehow, this carving speaks to me. But I haven't figured out yet how it speaks to me. Images that come to mind: James Dean, Elvis Presley, Punker, Rock and Roll, Grease, you name it. Now the serious stuff. The carving is by George Pilurtut from Kangiqsujuac and the title is straight forward: " Head with snow goggles " It is a serpentine stone measuring 3" x 2" x 3.5" and dates from 2003. Another association I have is Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner. I honestly don't know where the associations come from. Maybe this one is just: " Head with snow goggles " . Period.

This sweetheart is basking in the sun, catching a bit of warmth. It is a lovely ivory carving of a seal on a serpentine base. I don't know much about this carving except that it is signed underneath and is probably from before 1980. The ivory has a lovely old yellowish patina to it which does not show well in the picture. The carving is only 3" x 1.5" x 1"

I guess the fish is caught and it is time to go show off. Levi Qumak has carved this standing man holding a seal. The sculpture makes me think a bit about an inukshuk, at least I think there is an resemblance. The carving is 3.5" x 1.5" x 5.5' in a grey mottled stone and comes from Inukjuak.

This person is seen leaning to the left while trying to drag a seal home. The carving is done nicely in a mostly grey stone with blotches of red -brown shining through. A lovely stone. The carver, Alilie Nayomealuk from Inukjuak, has nicely captured the effort of dragging the catch to a safe place. The carving (dated from 2001) measures 3.5" x 2" x 7"

This is a small carving of Sedna holding a seal. It only measures 3" x 2" x 1", yet George Alayco has succeeded in creating a lovely little carving in grey stone. There is a sense of tenderness in

the way Sedna is holding on to her seal, her creature from the sea. George comes from Akulivik and has been quite prolific in making little carvings.

Here is an old fashioned minimal style seal carving. What I like about this seal is the solid feel of it.
Not at all a cuddly, blubbery seal with lovely curves. Nevertheless a great presence, evoking a harsh climate.
This carving is by Yaw Alayco and is probably from before 1980. The carving in a grey, green tinted stone (probably argalyte) measures 9" x 2.5" x 3.5" and comes from Sanikiluaq.