Pangnirtung
2007
Stone
H 30.5cm
COMMENTS
Sedna is one of several names for the Inuit Sea Goddess. Human in origin, she was murdered and sank to the bottom of the sea. She rules over the fish, seals, whale, and walrus and must be appeased by the shaman or she will keep the animals from the hunters. Sedna is a powerful gurebut, even more important for artists, her long fish tail and flowing hair offered the opportunity for expressive sculptures. In this case, she is shown as strong and assertive but the owing and twisting tail add an elegance to the sculpture.
Qikiqtaaluk/ Baffin Region:
The primary art producing community in Nunavut is Kinngait (Cape Dorset). Located on the south west coast of Baffin Island, artists in Kinngaitdeveloped a distinctive style which ranged from lyrical to astonishingly intricate compositions. Blessed with quarries of beautiful veined stone ranging from white to dark green, artists could develop virtuoso carving techniques. Unlike the more narrative works from Nunavik, subject matter in this region tends to be more fantastic, featuring both traditional myths,individual flights of fantasy or abstracted form in order to achieve a more expressive work of art. Other settlements in the Baffin Region are also known for their fine sculptures; this collection includes works from Kimmirut, Iqaluit and Pangnirtung in southern Baffin Island as well as the northern hamlet of Clyde River.
£2,650