san juan island art gallery

Inuit Art

Surrounded by a stark landscape, the Inuit people draw inspiration from their intimate relationship with the few indigenous animals of the Canadian Arctic. In a land of snow and rock, Inuit sculptors work with the limited materials available to them; bone, ivory, fur and stone. Despite the limitations of the Arctic, the Inuit have gained international acclaim for their striking imagery which is often amusing, occasionally disquieting and sometimes both.

Arctic Raven’s collection includes stencil prints and serious works in stone depicting Inuit hunting and fishing themes, as well as more whimsical dancing and walking bears. Swimming sea birds, whales, walrus, seals, caribou and Inukshuk complete the selection. The gallery’s Inuit work also reflects the enduring theme of transformation in the myths and artwork of the Arctic peoples. Whether changing from animal into animal or human into animal, these native sculptures represent the belief that nothing dies – it merely changes form.

In a frozen northern world where Inuit villages are isolated from one another by hundreds of miles of road-less wilderness or thousand miles of ice encrusted sea, distinct carving styles have developed partially in response to the limited materials available. From the primitive yet powerful basalt carvings of Baker Lake region, to the shiny sophistication of Cape Dorset soapstone sculpture, each shows a strong imagination and profound connection to the animal and spiritual realms. Arctic Raven Gallery features works from all the major Inuit carving villages.

“Drum Dancer” by Mark Totan

Drum Dancer 10w x 26h x 6d Mark Totan, stone sculpture inuit

“Drum Dancer” by Mark Totan
10 w x 26 h x 6 d – $3,200

“Fool’s Mask” by Tony Hunt Jr.

Fool's Mask 9x15x11 Tony Hunt Jr., wood sculpture mask, northwest coast

“Fool’s Mask” by Tony Hunt Jr.
9 x15 x11 – $4,500

“Spirit World” by Jerome Saclamanna

Spirit World. alaskan stone and feather sculpture Jerome Saclamanna  6" dia

“Spirit World” by Jerome Saclamanna
6″ dia. – $450

“Raven’s Romance” by Trevor Hunt

Raven's Romance yellow cedar panel by by Trevor Hunt 36 dia  northwest coast art

“Raven’s Romance” by Trevor Hunt
36″ dia. – $ 4,800

“Eagle Mask” by Randy Stiglitz

Eagle Mask  by Randy Stiglitz 10w x 20h x 9d  northwest coast carving

“Eagle Mask” by Randy Stiglitz
10″w x 20″h x 9″d – $ 4800

“Eagle Panel” by Jim Charlie

Eagle Panel by Jim Charlie 22w x 27h northwest coast art carving

“Eagle Panel” by Jim Charlie
22″w x 27″h – Sold

“Orca Rattle” by Aubrey Johnston

Orca Rattle by Aubrey Johnston 9w x 4h x 2d  northwest coast art carving

“Orca Rattle” by Aubrey Johnston
9″w x 4″h x 2″d – $3000

“Orca Rattle” by Aubrey Johnston – (back view)

Orca Rattle BACK View - Aubrey Johston

“Orca Rattle” by Aubrey Johnston – (back view)

“Orca Panel” by Jim Charlie

Orca Panel by Jim Charlie yellow cedar carving northwest coast art2000

“Orca Panel” by Jim Charlie
27″w x 22″h – $2000