This one is not for sale . It is an exquisite little carving. It feels so incredibly fragile. I again don't know much about this carving. It has a sticker underneath. But otherwise nothing that I can identify it by. The measurements are 4.25" x 1.25" x 0.75". A lovely little piece.

This is a large carving by Aisa Amittuk from Akulivik. The dimensions are 16 inches by 10 by 7 inches; quite large. Aisa presents here the almost impossible struggle between a hunter with just a knife and a bear where the latter seems to outmeasure, outweigh the poor hunter by quite a bit. Yet the hunter seems to be getting the upper hand. Fortunately for him! Yesterdays blog entry showed a bear ready to munch on a seal. It seems that today the tables are changed.

A small carving by George Alayco from Akulivik of a bear getting ready to eat a seal. The carving measures 3.5 inches by 3.5 by 3.75 inches. Not necessarily the most pleasant subject matter, but again a reflection of a life centered on living off the land. Each creature has its place in the fragile ecosystem. And, although this bear seams to be a well fed creature (look at his well rounded behind) , the overall plight of the bears in the arctic is quite uncertain with the pressures from "progress". I guess progress can be a loaded term.

Tutuiya Qatsiya, born 1966, is the carver of this impressive sculpture.








The dimensions are 13 inches by 8 inches by 12 inches and executed in a beautiful greenish stone. The carvings I have seen from Tutuiya all carry a strong, powerful statement. In this carving, called faces, you will notice numerous faces in the lower part of the carving, on the side you will also notice the emergence of a hawk, but out of it all rises a new identity: man as being created out of, and through his community. I don't know if that's what Tutuiya's intent is, but that's how the sculpture speaks to me. A marvelously strong carving. Tutuiya Qatsiya is from Cape Dorset.

This little owl only measures 1 inch by 1 inch by 3 inches. The artist is Johnny Tunnillie, from Kinngait, which is/used to be referred to as Cape Dorset. More and more we see the names of Inuit communities changing to a more authentic name.
The little owl is carved in a mottled black (or is it a green/dark green?) stone and has a somewhat regal, fierce presence. Two of the above photographs were taken with a flash. As you can see the color seems to depend on the environment. The owl is a prominent subject in traditional cultures, its role changing from culture to culture. In Inuit culture, with their strong connections with their environment, we see the owl represented from their traditional legends straight into present day prints and sculptures. Recall the famous owl by Kenojuak Ashevak!
This little owl, fragile yet stout, scarred yet courageous, wise and "en garde", seems to capture a complex entity.

This is a carving depicting the old story of "The Giant and the Man" . Aisa Amittuk has carved the captured man, as he is being carried by the giant to his home, undoubtedly to meet a horrible end ... or does he? I guess you will have to read the ancient Inuit legend of The Giant and The Man. Aisa is a well known artist from Akulivik, previously from Povungnituk. The carving is 8 by 6.5 by 10 inches. You can find out about old Inuit stories by "Googling" Inuit Myths and Legends

What I find interesting about Inuit Carvings is, that even the simplest carving can become quite appealing. I don't know if it is in the touching, if it is the

appeal of the feel in the hand, the evoking images, or if it is even connected with the spiritual ideas of holding fetishes, amoulets, medallions, good luck charms. Whatever, something radiates.
This little seal (5.5 by 1.5 by 1.5 in grey stone) is by Johnassie Uppik from Sanikiluaq. It's lovely simple and it has that power to stop your mind and start dreaming.