Update on Coronavirus in the North
We hope that you and your loved ones are well and safe, and that you are being vaccinated.
The coronavirus outbreak in Nunavut has been controlled, but not eradicated. Nunavut reports that there are 28 active cases, all in Arviat.
For some good news, see "The Rural Alaskan Towns that are Leading the Country in Vaccine Distribution," in The New Yorker. The article reports that Native Alaskan corporations have been in charge of vaccine distribution in remote communities, and that they are well ahead of the rest of the country when measured by percentage of population vaccinated. This has been accomplished despite the massive logistical difficulties of distributing the mRNA vaccines in remote villages without sophisticated facilities.
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As we face the winter doldrums, look forward to spring with a flock of prints of birds. The birds of the Arctic range from shorebirds, like the whimbrels above, to owls, hawks and eagles and geese. Artists' choices range from stylized to realistic to fantasy.
The whimbrels above are an early (1965) experimental stencil from Baker Lake. The artist, Effie Angali'taaq Arnaluaq, made several prints in 1965 and 1966, and then stopped. This print, with its bilateral symmetry, was made by printing a stencil and then reversing the stencil and printing again.
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A completely different take on the same subject is Kellypalik Mangitak's Young Curlew. Also an early stencil (1960), but from Cape Dorset. |
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Kananginak Pootoogook's Eider Duck is a complete contrast to Young Curlew. Also an early (1962) print, Kananginak opted for an ambitious, hyperrealistic image. The print is an engraving, a much more austere medium than the stencil. In addition, Kananginak tackled the thorny technical problem of foreshortening -- a rarity in Inuit art. Far more common were images that made no attempt to use realistic perspective, and disregarded questions of scale and perspective. A good example of this phenomenon follows. Kananginak became one of the most prolific graphic artists in Cape Dorset, contributing 351 prints to the Cape Dorset annual print collections. |
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Kiakshuk's Owl Attacking Snow Goose is a stonecut from 1961. Its subject is very much drawn from life, but both birds have been drastically stylized. The owl is shown as larger and more powerful; in truth, the owl would be about two feet in length, and the goose would be about six inches longer, facts that the artist has blithely ignored. Again, both birds would be white -- a snowy owl and a snow goose. But in the print, the owl is shown as having a dark pattern on its body. The result is a dramatic, if not realistic, image. |
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In Davidaluk's Waiting for Canada Geese, a hunter waits in a blind, hoping to shoot a goose for dinner. In contrast to Kiakshuk's goose, these geese are carefully observed and faithfully rendered. Look at the variety of wing positions on the geese in flight, and the exactly portrayed goose coming in for a landing feet-first. Although someone looking at Kiakshuk's print might be left in doubt as to the identity of the goose, anyone who has seen a Canada goose would recognize Davidialuk's birds. |
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Finally, another very early (1960) stencil, Bird I Desire by Napachie Pootoogook, who was the daughter of Pitseolak Ashoona. This wonderful print makes sophisticated use of negative space, and conveys a sense of self-sufficiency and contentment. There is no attempt to portray an actual bird. In a career that spanned more than four decades, Napachie Pootoogook went on to create more than 61 prints issued as part of the Cape Dorset annual print collection. |
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About
Alaska on Madison
In keeping with our self-description as a virtual gallery run by collectors for collectors, we offer a limited number of pieces. Every piece is one that we would be happy to have in our personal collection, and the description of each piece explains why.
We are happy to assist you with inquiries, with searches for particular pieces or artists, with organizing your collections and with buying or selling at auction. Our Inuit artist search tool is available on our website, and we would be delighted to help you use it. If you prefer to puzzle things out for yourself, Deciphering Inuktitut Signatures will help you to identify artists.
We are always pleased to answer questions or just chat. You can contact us by email or by phone at (908) 487-5757.
Our very best wishes to you all.
Ann and Michael Lesk
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Alaska on Madison | (908) 487-5757 | alaskaonmadison@gmail.com | www,alaskaonmadison.com |
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