Qavavau Manumie
Qavavau Manumie's images have regularly appeared in the Cape Dorset annual print collection since 1992. We are pleased to offer two original drawings by him, which illustrate his versatility.

The image on the right is a subtle, ironic image. One's first impression is that this is an abstract image. Closer inspection reveals that it is a bird's eye view of a fish weir surrounded by ice. Further inspection reveals the patient polar bear sitting at the left end of the weir, hoping dinner will come his way.

The image on the left is a bitter commentary on climate change. Qavavau has drawn an ice-free landscape, in which a hunter holds Sedna, who is dead or dying. Sedna's creatures, the whales, walruses and seals, have suffered grievously. On the left, a beached whale lies with its bones exposed. Other whalebones and vertebrae litter the landscape. The hunter's harpoon lies, useless, beside him because there is no prey to hunt.

As subsistence hunters, the Inuit are very aware of climate change, which is changing the range and abundance of Arctic wildlife.

Haida Gwai


The historical homeland of the Haida people is Haida Gwai, the Queen Charlotte Islands, located north of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The Haida population was decimated by smallpox in 1862, leading to abandonment of the Haida's original villages and resettlement of the survivors in Skidegate and Massett. We recently visited Haida Gwai, and saw the haunting remnants of the original settlement, including two-hundred-year-old poles that are succumbing to age and natural decomposition. We also witnessed the renaissance of Haida art, especially in carving. If you are interested, click here to see pictures.


About Alaska on Madison

In keeping with our self-description as a virtual gallery run by collectors for collectors, we are offering 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 (note new phone number).

Our very best wishes to you all.

Ann and Michael Lesk
Alaska on Madison | (908) 487-5757 | alaskaonmadison@gmail.com | www,alaskaonmadison.com