This stunning exhibition of Inuit stone carvings features the work of twelve Baker Lake artists, whose careers span the last five decades, the earliest piece from 1960 and the most recent from 2002. Solitary figures and family groups along with hunting and domestic activities dominate the themes. The carvings are bold in their sculptural gestures, minimal in form, compact, unpolished, and filled with the images and stories of the people and the land. The carver’s stance is clear, as Marie Bouchard states, facing us directly “in a manner that is forthright, simple, and honest.”
Inuit artists who work in stone, bone or antler prefer the term carver to sculptor, and their artwork – carvings rather than sculptures. It may seem like a minor point; however, the distinction is worth considering as it helps shift our perspective from the south to the north – and into the hands of the maker.
Winnipeg Art Gallery
300 Memorial Blvd.
Winnipeg, MB
