New and upcoming exhibitions, collections and portfolios of art from Arctic Canada and the Pacific
Northwest Coast of Canada and the United States.
Honouring the Ancient Ones
John & Luke Marston
June 27, 2009 - July 17, 2009
- Sale of Art opens Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. -
2 - 5 pm Reception with Artists in attendance
Please click on the above image to view the Collection.
Printed Catalogues available upon request for $24.95 CAD
“Honouring the Ancient Ones”, opening June 27th and running until July 17th, at the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver, is the first exhibition to focus solely on the growing body of extraordinary work by artists John and Luke Marston of Chemainus, B.C. The brothers’ carvings in cedar, alder, yew and juniper reveal the imagination and limitless ambition of young artists, while showing a level of technical prowess that many carvers strive to achieve in a lifetime. Continuing the uniquely beautiful artistic tradition of the Coast Salish people, this body of work emphasizes the recent emergence of two extremely talented First Nations artists. A reception will be held at the gallery from 2 to 5 p.m on June 27th, with the artists in attendance and a traditional Coast Salish welcome.
Please click
- HERE -
to view the Collection.
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Please click
- HERE -
to view
JOHN MARSTON'S
Biography. |
Please click
- HERE -
to view
LUKE MARSTON'S
Biography. |
THE ART OF BAKER LAKE
May 23, 2009 – June 5, 2009
- Sale of Art opens Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. -
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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.
Please click
- HERE -
to view the Baker Lake Collection.
Featured Artist...
ANDY EVERSON
Please click
- HERE -
to view works from
Andy Everson.
Andy Everson was born in Comox, BC in 1972 and named Nagedzi after his grandfather, the late Chief Andy Frank. Influenced heavily by his grandmother, he has always been driven to uphold the traditions of both the K'omoks and Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations. In this regard, Andy has pursued avenues where he can sing traditional songs and perform ceremonial dances at potlatches and in a number of different dance groups, most notably the Le-La-La Dancers, the Gwa'wina Dancers and the K’umugwe Dancers.
Pursuing other areas of traditional culture has also led Andy to complete a Master’s degree in anthropology. Because the Comox First Nation lies on the border between the larger Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw realms, his thesis focused on notions and expressions of contemporary Comox identity. His work in anthropology provided him with a background in linguistics which subsequently inspired him to create his company which specializes in the creation of Aboriginal language CD-ROMs.
Andy feels that his artwork stands on par with these other accomplishments. Although he began drawing Northwest Coast art at an early age, Andy's first serious attempt wasn’t until 1990 when he started designing and painting chilkat-style blankets for use in potlatch dancing. From these early self-taught lessons, he has tried to follow in the footsteps of his Kwakiutl relatives in creating bold and unique representations that remain rooted in the age-old traditions of his ancestors. The ability to create and print most of his own work has allowed Andy to explore and express his ancestral artwork in a number of contemporary ways.
PANGNIRTUNG TAPESTRIES
Please click
- HERE -
to view the Collection.
The Baffin Island Inuit community of Pangnirtung sits in one of the most beautiful settings the world has to offer - a narrow plain on the shore of a two mile wide fjord which links Cumberland Sound with Aksayuk Pass in the spectacular mountains of Auyuittuq National Park. Given this dramatic setting it is no wonder that the talented artists of that community have long produced some of the most striking creations coming out of the north. Since 1970 that body of work has included tapestries woven in a wide range of sizes and subject matter. The Inuit Gallery of Vancouver is pleased to present this sampling of some of the creations available.
These weavings are done in small editions, each one hand woven, resulting in subtle differences in tone and size making them unique works of art. Subject matter can be the landscape of the north, the animals which sustain life there, as well as the daily tasks for survival. In addition to these limited edition tapestries, the weavers are known for their one of a kind works, usually done on a commission basis. These include the monumental 10’ by 20’ BACK THEN that graces the Legislative Assembly lobby in Iqaluit and most recently a stunning interpretation of a drawing by Germaine Arnaktauyok illustrating ivory combs.
The Inuit Gallery invites you to consider these examples from the annual editions or to discuss with us the possibility of a unique work of art for that special place in your home or office.
Down from the Mountaintop
A PRIVATE COLLECTION IN ARGILLITE
April 18 2009 - May 1, 2009
Sale of Art opens Saturday, April 18 at 10:00 a.m.
Please click
- HERE -
to view the Argillite Collection.
Carved from a unique variety of black slate found only at Slatechuck Mountain on Haida Gwaii, argillite carvings have fascinated collectors across the world ever since they were first created and bartered to fur traders by the Haida in the early nineteenth century. As a new art form exempt from the strict demands of tradition, argillite provided its carvers with a special outlet for creative and unusual artistic impulses. Some of the first argillite pieces carved in Haida Gwaii portrayed not traditional motifs, but rather European fur traders standing in their ships. The intervening two hundred years have seen argillite carving develop from “tourist art” into an internationally coveted and culturally significant artistic medium.
We are very fortunate to be able to offer this collection, a group of carvings acquired over the past fifty years by one individual collector and representing an illuminating cross-section of argillite art, from tiny and unusual carvings to sculptures epic in scope and intense in detail. In looking at the collection it becomes apparent that argillite carving runs in the family; master carver cousins Christian White and Darrell White contribute one piece each, while the Russ family - including the father-son tandem of Ron Russ and Marcel Russ, and their relatives, brothers Gary Minaker Russ and the late Ed Russ - is collectively responsible for over a third of the collection.
Please enjoy this remarkable collection.
ARCTIC WILDLIFE
March 21, 2009 - April 10, 2009
- Sale of Art opens Saturday, March 21 at 10:00 a.m. -
Please click
- HERE -
to view the Arctic Wildlife Collection.
For most of Canada’s population, March brings signs that the end of winter is near. However, for the Inuit who occupy the vast spaces of Canada’s arctic, winter will hold them in its grip for some time to come. Nevertheless, the sun has risen above the horizon and it is time to look forward to the abundance that spring and summer bring to every corner of the land. For the Inuit, this is a time to celebrate nature’s bounty. This March, the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver is pleased to present an exhibition featuring Arctic Wildlife Sculpture.
Please join with us in celebrating Inuit wildlife artistry.
- ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY -
Contemporary Inuit Art by
Mosesee Pootoogook, Isacci Etidloie, Jamesie Pisteolak
and Johnny Manning
Please click
- HERE -
to view the Anything but Ordinary Collection.
Three dynamic artists from Cape Dorset are doing their bit to expand the subject matter of what we think of as typical Inuit sculpture. Mosesee Pootoogook, Isacci Etidloie and Jamesie Pisteolak push their own envelopes as well as the perceptions of those who look at and collect Inuit art. All too often, confronted with things that don't conform to received opinion, even knowledgeable collectors will not take the time to look at and appreciate these non traditional expressions.
Ranging from 32 - 41, theses artists have not lived a traditional Inuit life on the land, one that their parents and grand parents experiences. Rather, theirs has been a late 20th and early 21st century life with all of its distractions. Jamesie likes to play with words and puns, especially those with multiple meanings. Hence, Smoking Gun and Are you Chicken? Mosesee and Isacci are drawn to the sporting side of life and have created a Strong Man and Gymnast respectively. Though not included in this small grouping Isacci has created a number of very fine hockey players as well.
We are very pleased to present this small selection of what we consider to be very fine examples of Inuit art and invite you to take a closer look.
Please join with us in exploring the fascinating world of Contemporary Inuit Art.
Please click here to see the collection
PRIDE
Andy Everson
Comox / Kwakwaka'wakw
Giclee
Edition of 75
$190.00 CAD
I was born in Comox B.C. in 1972 and named Nagedzi after my grandfather. Chief Andy Frank. My cultural interests lay with both my K'omoks and Kwakwaka'wakw ancestries and are expressed through dancing, singing, and even the completion of a Master's degree in anthropology. I feel that my artwork stands on par with these other accomplishments. Although I began drawing Northwest Coast art at an early age, my first serious attempt wasn't until 1990 when I started designing and painting chilkat-style blankets for use in potlatch dancing. From these early self-taught lessons I have tried to follow in the footsteps of my Kwakiutl relatives in creating bold and unique representations that remain rooted in the age-old traditions of my ancestors.
We’ve all worked hard through the night. Many times, I’ve been obsessed with my artwork or compelled by time to finish a paper that I’ve had to pull an all-nighter. We’ve battled through the desire and then the need for sleep to write that last paragraph or polish up a design. Some have had to work night shifts or painted or trimmed their houses to prepare for their imminent move. Others have driven all night to reach their destination. For all of us, we have witnessed that most beautiful miracle of dawn breaking and a new day starting and pride in what you have accomplished.
This print is dedicated to those that deserve to take pride in the work they do. It is for those volunteers who selflessly put themselves forward and do the jobs that most people would expect to get paid for. It is for those individuals who stand lonely on the street corners for a cause. It is for those that mark off a course and register people for races great and small. It is for those that show compassion by visiting the sick and the dying that they may or may not know. It is for those students and scientists that toil endlessly knowing that there is a cure for cancer and they will find it. When that beautiful dawn breaks, the world will be a better place. I am confident that everyone who has contributed will look back and take pride in what they have accomplished.
We are determined to contribute in our small way to finding a cure for cancer. As such, partial proceeds from the sale of this print will be directly donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. “Pride” is available exclusively through the Inuit Gallery in Vancouver, BC.
