Kivioq's Journey Ends
In Guelph, Ontario, I was sleeping peacefully in my room at a bed and breakfast. Suddenly, without a warning, I was wakened by some spirit or vision so unusual for me because it was my very first experience. June 20th, exact time, two o'clock a.m.
My vision was that Kivioq was travelling southward-bound in his kayak and the warm salt water was splashing on his beautiful face and down onto his chest. He said to himself, "Now, I have made my decision to end my journey forever." The back of his kayak touched a rock and then the front touched another boulder. His kayak settled down onto the two boulders forever. Kivioq turned into a beautiful stone, glittering from his face down through to his chest. As he was turning into a stone, the warm salty water from the white caps was still dripping from his face.
This is how Kivioq ended his journey forever. Kivioq turned into a stone, his kayak turned into a stone, and his beautiful companion - a female grey and white snow goose - turned into a stone and the humpback whale also turned into a stone. The colourful Inukshuk stood still and witnessed Kivioq's resting place forever.
Something also tells me that it will be my turn, and yours too, to rest forever with no regrets to leave behind. You've done your work.
William Noah
June 23, 2005.
The Macdonald Stewart Art Centre unveiled its 30th permanent outdoor installation on Saturday, June 25 at 2:30 p.m. during alumni weekend. this work was William Noah's first permanent outdoor sculpture in Canada. The sculpture is made from local limestone and was designed by the artist during his stay in Guelph. The sculpture was commissioned with funds donated by the Class of 1955, on the 50th anniversary of their graduation from Macdonald Institute, in memory of Professor Gordon Couling. Professor Couling was the founding chair of the University of Guelph's Department of Find Art. Professor Couling helped to create an undergraduate art program that has become one of the largest and most esteemed in Canada.
William Noah's sculpture Kivioq's Jouney Ends depicts a
traditional Inuit legendary figure who symbolizes the continuation of the Inuit
culture and the Inuktitut language in the midst of modern society. William Noah,
the son of famous Inuit artist Jessie Oonark, is a resident of Baker Lake,
Nunavut. He began his artistic career in the early 1960s making carvings and
drawings. After 1970, he focussed on graphic works, exploring such subjects as
shamanism. He began exhibiting his work in 1965 and he has been represented in
many internationally travelling exhibitions. In 2000, Noah created a four metre
high inukshuk on the grounds of the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.
Noah's work was included in two exhibitions, organized by MSAC Director/Curator Judith Nasby, that travelled Europe and Latin America.
Images:
Top: Kivioq's Journey Ends - two views
Middle: Baker Lake artist William Noah with Kivioq's Journey Ends,
the 30th outdoor installation in the Sculpture Park.
Bottom: The Class of 1955, on the 50th anniversary of their graduation from
Macdonald Institute, sponsored the sculpture Kivioq's Journey Ends
by Baker Lake artist William Noah