North Star Inuit Gallery Newsletter #1 September 12, 2003
Dear Friends,
This summer, we traveled to Iqaluit enroute to Cape Dorset to meet the carvers. The scenery was incredible, the shopping wonderful, the fishing amazing and the beaches are full of treasures! Our friend, Mathew Saviajuk Jaw, the Mayor of Cape Dorset (also a famous carver) took us out for the day in his large motorboat with two of his sons. We toured the inner harbour looking for seal, caribou and polar bear. Mathew showed us the traditional Inuit way of fishing by setting out nets, which resulted in seven large Arctic Char, which we enjoyed for dinner. The scenery was breathtaking! Imagine the rugged terrain, not a single tree or bush. Rocks of every formation and colour (possibly diamonds waiting to be discovered!). The tundra was alive with purple mountain saxifrage, yellow buttercups and Arctic cotton. The crystal clear streams were clean enough to drink from. The air was refreshing and cleansing. Mathew invited us to return for ‘winter camping’ where we would sleep in an igloo and travel by dog team. We thought of organizing a group of friends for an Arctic adventure. Interested?
The other highlight of the summer was meeting John Houston, son of the famous James Houston who is responsible for bringing Inuit art to world attention in the 1950’s. He is in Halifax editing his latest film called ‘Diet of the Soul’. He has made several award winning films about the North.
I just received the Waddington’s Auction update and am again amazed at how Inuit art has captured world attention. Once you have held a small carving in your palm or looked closely at the wondrous ripples and markings of a stone, it is easy to understand the fascination.
In 2002, Waddington’s sold 1.3 million dollars worth of Inuit art. Here are some of the carving highlights:
14 inch by Karoo Ashevak (1940-1974) Spence Bay sold for $37,950.
15 inch by Osuitok Ipeelee (1923-con’t.) Cape Dorset sold for $25,300.
17 inch by Kenojuak Ashevak (1927-con’t.) Cape Dorset sold for $19,550.
4 inch by Tudlik (1890-1966) Cape Dorset sold for $8050.
The carving you buy today by a well known or even emerging artist will increase in value. Inuit art is not only a great financial investment (better than RRSP!), but will bring you esthetic enjoyment for many years.
Take time to enjoy the Gallery. Your comments are welcome and appreciated. If you have a particular carving, community or artist in mind, let me know. I can arrange to have a carving made for you by almost any carver in almost any community. I will admit that I am partial to the Cape Dorset artists (carvers and drawings).
