Inuit Art: New Acquisitions
May 14, 2008 to March 22, 2009
In this exhibition, Inuit Art: New Acquisitions, the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre unveiled new works selected from our internationally acclaimed Canadian Inuit art collection, featuring Jessie Oonark (1906–1985 Baker Lake), Abraham Anghik (born 1951 Salt Spring Island), and Michael Massie (born 1962 Labrador), among others. In 2006, the Art Centre received an extraordinary gift from Samuel and Esther Sarick of eight rare early sketchbooks (circa 1968) containing seventy-nine drawings by pre-eminent Inuit artist Jessie Oonark. In the same year, the Saricks also donated three major portfolios of Inuit drawings. Today, the Art Centre holds the largest collection of works by Oonark at a public art gallery. The exhibition features a selection of Oonark’s sketchbooks which have never before been on public display.
The exhibition included three sculptures by master carver Abraham Anghik (also donated by Samuel and Esther Sarick). Anghik expresses traditional stories and imagery through contemporary art forms and techniques. In the last 30 years, Anghik has created a massive body of work, telling the stories of his people in soapstone, whale bone, bronze, and wood. He has gained an international reputation for his sculpture. In this exhibition, the Art Centre also unveils a recent commission by Michael Massie titled let me whip you up a cup of tea
(2007). Created from anhydrite, bone, sterling silver, copper, mahogany, ebony, and sinew, the sculpture combines two distinct disciplines within Massie’s practice: figurative limestone carving and a sterling silver teapot. Massie is quoted as saying that when he carves he feels most in touch with his Inuit ancestry, and when he works in metal he is closer to his qallunaaq (white) ancestry.
Images:
Jessie Oonark, Two Birds, circa 1968 (felt-tip marker and graphite on paper)
Gift of Samuel and Esther Sarick, 2006, Macdonald Stewart Art Centre Collection
Jessie Oonark, Camping Down, circa 1968 (felt-tip marker and graphite on paper)
Gift of Samuel and Esther Sarick, 2006, Macdonald Stewart Art Centre Collection