THE ART OF BAKER LAKE

May 23, 2009 – June 5, 2009
- Sale of Art opens Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. -

 

SCULPTURES	PRINTS	DRAWINGS

 
Please click on the above images to view correlating Collection.

 

It is with great pleasure that the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver presents this exhibition featuring a wide range of works in sculpture, drawing, print making and fabric art from the Inuit community of Baker Lake.  It is an area recognized for its wealth of gifted artists, many of whose names are among the best known to followers of Inuit art.

Baker Lake sits at the mouth of the Thelon River and was traditionally a gathering place for diverse Inuit groups that spent their lives in cycles of movement across the landscape, known to southerners as the Barrenlands.  In the 1950’s this region lived up to its name and the Inuit who had lived on it for generations were hard pressed to survive.  In an effort to provide aid to the Inuit who were suffering in great numbers on the land, disparate groups were brought together into one community.  With the success of the Inuit art projects in arctic Quebec and on Baffin Island, it wasn’t long before the residents of Baker Lake were encouraged to follow suit.  Creativity blossomed and continues to this day.

Included in the exhibition is an eclectic assortment of limited edition prints that have been released by the Sanavik print shop over the years.  One of the hallmarks of Baker Lake prints is the exuberant use of colour and this is well represented by the works of Victoria Mamnguqsualuk, Irene Avaalaaqiaq and Janet Nipi, to name but three.  Of particular note for its vibrancy is the magnificent appliqué and embroidery wall hanging of Mary Kuutsiq.

In addition to the prints, we are also very pleased to offer drawings collected over several years.  Included among these are the works of the late Janet Kigusiuq whose vibrant jewel tones have been especially well received, as well as works of Tuna Iquliq who is best known for his work in sculpture.  Other familiar names are Simon Tookoome, Irene Avaalaaqiaq and Francoise Oklaga, as well as many others.

Sculpture is one of the mediums for which Baker Lake is celebrated and we are pleased to offer a range of pieces including a Drummer by the legendary George Tataniq, also known as Tattener, dating from approximately 1970.  The unmistakable style of Barnabus Arnasungaaq is evident in one of his classic Musk Ox sculptures, as well as in the figure of Mother and Child.  Tuna Iquliq, whose drawings are mentioned previously, is also represented with his work in stone.  Another special piece in the collection is the magnificent sculpture of Mother and Child by Thomas Sivuraq.  This large work exemplifies the dramatic volume and spirit that is so characteristic of Baker Lake sculpture.

Please join with us in celebrating the artists of Baker Lake.