As the title of the exhibition, In the Shadow of the Midnight Sun, suggests, Canada’s Inuit people and Scandinavia’s Sámi people share the same northern latitudes. But if geography is a jumping-off point for the artists in this expansive, unexpected show, it isn’t destiny. Many of the works — which date between 2000 and 2005 — juggle indigenous traditions and information-age influences. The variety of techniques and media — from wall-filling abstract paintings to delicate objects crafted from bone and sinew — and the mood and breadth of subject matter point to the wide range of current artistic practices in the North.
Curator Jean Blodgett is wary of making generalizations about a show that features 47 artists from across the Arctic Circle, but she did find affinities among the Sámi and Inuit cultures. “At first, all I could think of was that, well, yes, both groups live far north,” Blodgett says over the phone from her home near Fairbanks, Alaska. “But in fact, that’s a very strong connection between them. It’s not just a factual observation.”
“Their feeling for the land has a strong effect on their art,” Blodgett says. “There are these emotional connections with the places that they live, and with the plant and animal life there.”
Blodgett also wants to acknowledge that the artists’ current landscape goes beyond plants and animals to include satellite TV, Nintendo and Pepsi. Much of the work in the exhibition grapples with rapid technological change and with issues of individual and cultural identity in a shifting social environment. “Many artists are coping with this issue of ‘Where do I fit in the scheme of things,’ whether it’s their culture or their family.”
Originating with the Art Gallery of Hamilton, and showing at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, In the Shadow of the Midnight Sun will stop in Whitehorse and Ottawa before travelling to museums in Scandinavia.
(All images courtesy the Winnipeg Art Gallery)
source:CBC -Alison Gimor
http://www.cbc.ca/photogallery/arts/498/

Nunavik co-op federation celebrates 40 years
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 | 12:52 PM CT
CBC News
A federation of Inuit co-operatives in northern Quebec is marking its 40th anniversary this year with a celebration and some prize draws for members.

La Fédération des Coopératives du Nouveau-Québec was formed in 1967 after five of Nunavik’s 14 communities had established co-ops, with Kangiqsualujjuaq being the first community in 1959. In the years following the FCNQ’s introduction, all 14 communities set up co-ops in northern Quebec.

Aliva Tulugak, the federation’s vice-president for the Hudson Coast, said Tuesday that more than 300 co-op federation members from across Nunavik gathered in Montreal over the weekend for 40th-anniversary celebrations.

Individual members were recognized for their efforts to make the co-ops successful, he said. Tulugak added that members will also be eligible for a draw Aug. 31 to win snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles.

The co-operatives offer a variety of businesses and services, including:

Food sales.
Construction.
Fishing and hunting camps.
Adventure tourism operations.
Cable television and high-speed internet services.
Hotels.
Fuel storage and distribution.
Inuit art production and sales.
Speaking in Inuktitut, federation president Mark Uhitok Amamatuak of Salluit said the co-ops started operating out of small buildings, but the vision of their early directors was anything but small.

Today, Amamatuak said, he will be dedicated to his new position and use it to keep the federation strong.

On its website, the federation describes its co-operatives as “a powerful engine for economic development” in the region, employing the most residents outside of government.

Tulugak said if Nunavik’s communities continue to work together, the co-ops will continue to grow and succeed.

Cape Dorset Winter 2007

Each time I travel in Nunavut to gather new artworks I always imagine James Houston first venture in Cape Dorset. He came first with a dog team and lived among the Inuit in small houses and Igloos. His goal was to introduce a new production of artwork in order to help the Inuit earn a living and survive the new sedentary life. He must have wondered if his venture would give results.

We are now in the 21st century and only 60 years after Houston first visit in the North. Inuit art is now recognized worldwide and the production of Inuit art is astonishing not only in quality but also in volume. No one could have predicted such a success.

The plane is landing on the strip and I am heading for my small hotel room miles from home. The temperature is -30 C without the wind-chill and wonder why Inuit worry about global warming … (sic) I travel to Cape Dorset to gather new artworks but also and mostly to get in contact with the artists and their changing world.

Inuit are now experiencing tremendous change and many cultural traits of traditional Inuit culture are vanishing with the waves of satellite TV and Internet. However, art producing has become a crucial factor in the definition of Inuit Identity in the new century. The greatest carvers are respected and can earn a decent living. Young Inuit start by carving small Inukshuk with the dream of having the reputation of Qiatsuq, Parr, Ipeelie among others.

In these new realities, the greatest hunters have now become the best carvers. They are respected providers for their family, the community and Inuit culture. Still those who can do both are even more respected underlying the transition between generations. Inuit art is an art form in constant evolution with a great future filled with amazing talents.

Robert

Hello,

I have always been pleased when I have done business with Robert, but I really wanted to go one step further and be able to discuss this wondrous type of art with others, too.

I have started an Internet discussion group.

The Inuit and Indian Art Group

Artists, collectors, dealers, teachers, curators, etc. discuss various related topics by e-mail.

As of March, 2007, we started nearly 3 years ago and we are already in 15 countries on 5 continents with close to 400 members. We have several artists; plus 25 Inuit, Inuvaluit, Inupiaq, Yu’pik or Aleut members; and 60 Indian and Metis members. We also have numerous collectors and dealers.

Would you be interested in joining?

Please reply to me directly at:

TWCAL2@aol.com

There are no dues or fees or anything like that.

Aukkak, Oncle, Uncle Gene
Gene Hanson
Moderator
The Inuit and Indian Art Group
Toronto
Ontario
Canada

I used to work in a regular art gallery and by exchanging directly with clients I could get the pulse of what they liked and disliked about the gallery, the art, the stones, the service, the packing, etc… Operating an internet gallery is a great experience for me but I rarely get feedbacks from you and I thought the blog would be a great way to get your impressions on our service and the e-gallery.

If you can take a few minutes we would like to have your comments on the website, the transaction with us and especially your impressions on the new artwork we are presenting.

Many thanks
Robert

You have a sculpture that you got many years ago or you inherited a number of artworks. You don’t know the value the piece and you would like to sell it but of course not at any price. There are many ways to do this but also many avenues that you shouldn’t take.

What not to do

1- Send an email to many galleries with very limited information like this:

I have an artwork by Echalook I got in the 60’s and would like to know how much it`s worth and if you could buy it

2- Go see the closest antiques dealer and ask him to sell your artwork unless he is knowledgable of Inuit art

3- Post it on eBay without knowing who carved it and where the carving is from and especially with low quality pictures.

4- Post it on eBay if you don’t have good feedbacks already.

What to do

1- Get a written evaluation of the artwork by a specialized gallery. If you can more then one is even better. This can be done now by email by sending pictures and as much information you have on the artwork. Please note that every inscription on the bottom of the artwork can be useful especially the E-numbers. You can also bring it to an Inuit art gallery. Inuitartzone charges $50 per artwork but prices can vary for entire collection. Other galleries fees vary from $50-$100 per artwork.

2- Once you know the market value of your artwork you can offer it to galleries with the documents you have and take the best offer available. Please note that galleries have to make some money on the resell of artworks and this can vary from 25-50 % of the market value. The gallery can also choose to sell it at a different price.

3- You can place it on consignment in a gallery and the common rule is 60-40. That means that 60 percent of the sales go to the owner and 40% to the seller. This rule can be negotiated.

4- Another option is to place your artwork at auction. A specialized auction house is recommended and the only one that host Inuit art auction is Waddingtons auction in Toronto (www.waddingtons.com ). They are very selective on the artwork they choose to place at auction. The risk is that you depend on the crowd at the auction so the artwork can go very high but can also go very low or not sell at all depending on your reserve. Then you only get the bill … Auction house charges fees for listing the artwork, photographs, shipping (if applicable) and take a 15-20% commission.

5- The easiest option is to place it at auction on eBay however it is not the perfect one. You have to be able to create a nice listing with guarantees that the artwork will make it to destination in mint condition and have a Paypal account (almost essential). Pictures are critical here since average pics will make your outstanding artwork look average. Once again having a written evaluation of the artwork helps.

6- One critical step that many forget is how important packing properly is crucial. You can go to the UPS store and ask them to pack it for you but once again that involves fees. Or you can do it yourself and you will need the right materials. You can check our shipping page to guide you.

In resume, selling your art is not an easy task and using professional help will guide you trough the process. One critical step is to have a written appraisal of the artwork. This is the step that will be your starting point and your reference through the process.

Since I often get similar requests from many people interested in subjects closely related to Inuit art and Inuit culture I decided to open up a new blog. A blog is a great way to communicate and exchange on the web. The information posted by the writer can be discussed by everyone, from anywhere and at anytime. The blogger can respond thus creating an open discussion.

Inuit art being a very intriguing and specialized art form I thought the blog would be a great way to communicate and educate on the subject. Many internet users are seeking specific information on the web but can’t always find what they are looking for. I hope this blog will be a great resource on Inuit art and will get many comments.

Robert