Inuit art exhibition

A fortunate coincidence led me to a delightful exhibition of Inuit art at Canada House, Trafalgar Square. It runs till 10 September, in conjunction with another Inuit art exhibition at the Scott Polar Institute in Cambridge.

Among the sculptures my second-favourite was Drummers and Dancers by Luke Iksiktaaryuk, carved of cariboo horn -and the favourite was Family by Lucy Tasseor Tutsweetok - it made me get my sketchbook out. I love how she puts the faces round the lump of stone, and how that transforms the uncarved stone. See her work here.
Probably the most famous Inuit print, the Enchanted Owl, is by Kenojuak Ashevak - this is another of her works -
She lost many family members and spent time being treated for TB in a sanatorium far from home - but even so the work is notable for its joyous spirit.

Parr started drawing at 61 and made over 2000 drawings in eight years - but his work was underappreciated during his lifetime and he died before any of his works were exhibited -
My brother is a kayak racer and builder, so of course this print by Jessie Oonark appealed to me -
Attacked by Victoria Mamnguqsualuk is truly scary -
Suvinai Ashoona is one of the younger generation of Inuit artists - the tools and egg combine two aspects of creativity -
"The book of the show" is Tuvaq; it's on my wish list. These are available for browsing at the exhibition -
Looking through Tuvaq I came across work by Annie Pootoogook, including "Brief Case" at the top -
Elsewhere at Canada House is "Arctic Perspective", a small exhibition about devising a mobile media and living unit for use in the arctic. One of the centres involved is Igloolik, shown as a Bramor UAS instant tactical orthophoto (whatever that is!) -
Because of funding cuts, as everywhere, Canada House is depleted of staff. Entrance was once through this grand foyer; now you pass through a scanner at the back door.