Two Great Image Makers from Baker Lake
Sculpture by Josiah Nuilaalik / Wallhangings by Irene Avaalaaqiaq
Published to accompany an exhibition at the Marion Scott Gallery
in 1999, this catalogue brings together work by two different, highly
individual artists: sculptor Josiah Nuilaalik and textile artist
Irene Avaalaaqiaq. While often similar in terms of their spiritual
and transformational subject matter, these two artists represent
the diversity of peoples and art-making traditions that characterize
Baker Lake.
Avaalaaqiaq, who was raised south of Baker Lake, creates wallhangings
that are bold and colourful, yet clearly feminine. Nuilaalik, originally
Netsilik from the Back River area to the north, carves stone sculptures
that are restrained, even austere. But as curator Robert Kardosh
argues, such differences are outweighed by one major similarity:
the ability of both artists to create powerful images that transcend
simple illustration.
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